Jordan
Jordan is a strategic Hashemite monarchy bordering Israel to the east, serving as a critical security buffer and a key partner in regional stability. In 2026, the kingdom became a direct front in the kinetic confrontation between the United States and Iran, facing repeated missile strikes, airspace violations, and threats from Iranian-backed militias while maintaining its 1994 peace treaty with Israel.
Jordan occupies a pivotal role in Israel's security architecture, sharing its longest land border. The relationship is anchored by the 1994 Treaty of Peace, which established formal diplomatic ties and deep security cooperation. However, the kingdom's position has become increasingly precarious as it serves as a geographic corridor for the regional conflict between the Iranian axis and Western-aligned forces. Throughout mid-2026, Jordan transitioned from a passive observer to a direct target of Iranian military aggression. During the multi-day escalation between the U.S. and Iran, the Jordanian military confirmed the interception of multiple Iranian missiles and drones that penetrated its airspace. While the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed successful strikes on Jordanian airbases, Amman has consistently maintained that its air defenses neutralized the majority of threats. The kingdom also hosts significant U.S. military installations, such as the Muwaffaq al-Salti and King Faisal air bases, which have become primary targets for Iranian retaliatory strikes. In late August and early September 2026, the situation escalated further following a direct hit on a U.S. base in Jordan, prompting large-scale American retaliatory strikes against targets in southern Iran. Beyond direct strikes, Jordan faces a growing threat from Iranian-backed Iraqi militias. In August 2026, the kingdom went on highest alert following intelligence that the Hashd al-Shaabi militia was planning an invasion or attack on Jordanian territory. Simultaneously, Jordan has emerged as a venue for high-stakes regional diplomacy. In late August, Mossad Director Roman Gofman and Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani reportedly met in Jordan for talks aimed at reducing tensions and establishing security red lines. From a Zionist perspective, Jordan's stability is a paramount interest; it serves as a critical eastern buffer preventing infiltrations and coordinating on regional air defense. Internally, the Hashemite leadership must balance its strategic alliance with the West and its peace with Israel against a population that largely identifies with the Palestinian narrative. This domestic pressure is exacerbated by the kingdom's role as the custodian of the Al-Aqsa Mosque through the Waqf, a position that remains a sensitive flashpoint in Israeli-Jordanian relations.