Jordan summons Iranian diplomat as missile strikes escalate regional tensions
Air defence systems intercept three missiles early Tuesday, following a previous strike that killed two US service members.
Jordan’s air defence systems intercepted three Iranian missiles targeting the kingdom early Tuesday, marking a significant escalation in direct attacks on the Hashemite Kingdom. The Jordanian army confirmed in a statement that the missiles originated from Iranian territory and entered Jordanian airspace, though no injuries were reported. This incident follows a missile strike on a US base in Jordan last week, which killed two US service members and injured approximately 30 others.
In response to the growing threat, Jordan’s foreign ministry summoned Iran’s top diplomat to Amman on Sunday to demand an immediate cessation of what it described as “unjustified and blatant Iranian attacks.” The Kingdom hosts approximately 4,000 US troops and permanent US military facilities, making it a primary target under Iran’s stated policy to retaliate against states hosting US assets. Jordan is one of eight Arab countries with permanent US military facilities, having previously helped intercept Iranian missiles launched toward Israel in defence of its own airspace.
The geopolitical pressure on Amman is compounded by its heavy economic and military dependence on Washington. Under a seven-year Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2022, the US agreed to provide $1.45 billion annually in assistance. In 2025, Congress increased this figure to $1.65 billion, a sum triple the amount provided in 2010. A Defense Cooperation Agreement signed in January 2021 further grants US forces formalised access to Jordanian military facilities, a presence that Jordanian officials have publicly downplayed to mitigate domestic unrest.
Public sentiment within Jordan is increasingly hostile toward the US alliance, creating a precarious balance for the government. A 2026 poll by Arab Barometer indicates that only 12% of Jordanians view US President Donald Trump’s foreign policy favourably. Experts suggest that while Jordan strives for neutrality, its alliance with the US affects fragile security and fuels public discontent, with some citizens questioning whether the partnership ensures stability or acts as a catalyst for instability.
The situation is further strained by complex regional dynamics involving Israel and the Palestinian population. Jordan shares deep cultural ties with Palestinians, who constitute more than half of the population, including 2.4 million refugees registered with UNRWA. Relations with Israel have deteriorated since November 2023, when Jordan recalled its ambassador following the outbreak of war in Gaza. With settler violence in the West Bank displacing over 1,000 Palestinian children in the first six months of 2026, Jordan faces intense pressure to reject any further displacement of Palestinians into its territory while navigating a widening US-Iran conflict.
