Amman: Jordan shot down Iranian missiles and drones crossing overhead, while Saudi Arabia likely allowed Israel to use its airspace to do so. This comes despite both nations publicly opposing Israel’s attacks on Iran.
According to Deutsche Welle, the 21 Arab and Muslim-majority countries have made their stance clear in the Iran-Israel conflict. In a statement published earlier this week, they expressed their “categorical rejection and condemnation of Israel’s recent attacks on the Islamic Republic of Iran,” which began on June 13. The countries emphasized the need to halt “Israeli hostilities against Iran” and expressed “great concern regarding this dangerous escalation, which threatens to have serious consequences on the peace and stability of the entire region.”
However, these military actions could trigger domestic tensions. Historical antipathy towards Israel exists among the people of both nations, especially in Jordan, where at least one in five locals, including the country’s queen, are of Palestinian descent. Jordan’s government has justified shooting down Iranian missiles by claiming self-defense. “This message – we are only defending ourselves – is being repeated on all channels,” says Edmund Ratka, head of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation’s office in Amman, Jordan.
Ratka attributes this to the current Jordanian political scene. In April, Jordan banned the Muslim Brotherhood, the country’s largest political opposition movement, due to alleged connections to a plot to destabilize the nation. Neil Quilliam, an associate fellow with British think tank Chatham House, noted that the ban was intended to curb rising support for the movement amid tensions over Israel’s actions in Gaza.
Stefan Lukas, founder of Germany-based consultancy Middle East Minds, emphasized the importance for Jordan to avoid being seen as aligning with Israel. “Still, the decision [to shoot down Iranian missiles] further escalates tensions,” he told DW. Ratka confirms that Jordan does not want to be seen as defending Israel, as the Jordanian people largely view Israel as the aggressor. However, they hold similar views toward Iran, which is perceived as meddling in Arab affairs.
Lukas also points out Jordan’s reliance on the US, referencing a 2021 defense cooperation agreement that allows US forces free movement within the country. This dependency makes it challenging for Jordan to oppose US interests directly.
Saudi Arabia faces a similar dilemma. While it signed the declaration condemning Israeli actions alongside other Arab and Muslim-majority countries, it unofficially participates in actions against Iran, according to Lukas. He highlights security cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Israel, with the Saudis providing radar data and allowing Israeli aircraft access to their airspace.
Despite recent reconciliations with Iran, Saudi Arabia’s relationship with the nation remains delicate. The kingdom continues to depend heavily on the US for security, a factor influencing its stance in the ongoing conflict.