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🇮🇱 Israel /Conflict & Security

Iran Escalates Attacks on Jordan, Targeting Aqaba and US Forces

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

Analysis Named sources Context piece
  • Iran has escalated its attacks on Jordan, targeting Aqaba and killing US soldiers.
  • These attacks are part of Iran's strategy to terrorize the region and deter retaliation by striking across a wide front line.
  • Jordan, a long-standing Western ally, is strategically located between Israel, Iraq, Syria, and the Gulf, making it a potential target in regional conflicts.

Iran's regime is intensifying its attacks on the Kingdom of Jordan, with recent strikes on the southern city of Aqaba and the killing of US soldiers marking a more extreme and deadly escalation. This strategy appears designed to terrorize the kingdom and any US forces present.

Iran has always decided that when it is attacked, it will strike across the region.

— Seth J. FrantzmanAnalyzing Iran's strategic approach to regional conflicts.

Analysts suggest Iran's actions stem from its established operational doctrine: when attacked, it strikes across the region. Iran has created a vast front line stretching from Lebanon through Iraq and Jordan to the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. This approach aims to send a clear message that any retaliation will be met with widespread attacks, forcing the United States and its regional partners to prepare for a multi-front response.

It is likely this reasoning that informs the Iranian leadership's thinking regarding the strikes on the Kingdom of Jordan.

— Seth J. FrantzmanExplaining the motivation behind Iran's attacks on Jordan.

Jordan, a Western ally since its founding under a British Mandate, has a long history of cooperation with Western powers. Its ruling family has ties stretching back to Saudi Arabia, and the Jordanian army, the Arab Legion, was developed with British officers. Despite past conflicts with Israel, Jordan signed a peace treaty in 1994 and has maintained quiet ties with the nation. The kingdom's strategic location between Israel, Iraq, Syria, and the Gulf positions it at the crossroads of potential regional conflagrations, though it has historically shied away from playing a dominant role, often feeling vulnerable to threats from its neighbors.

Currently, the Kingdom of Jordan occupies a complex place in the Middle East.

— Seth J. FrantzmanDescribing Jordan's geopolitical position.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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