A turning point in Iran-Jordan ties

By Reza Sadr al-Hosseini

Mideast affairs expert

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Jordan as part of his regional tour, holding talks with his Jordanian counterpart on pressing issues in West Asia, particularly the Gaza and Lebanon conflicts. Araghchi has emphasized deepening ties with neighboring countries and Muslim states in the region as a top priority, and Jordan is a key player in this regard. Although the Iranian foreign minister’s visit to Jordan comes after a 10-year hiatus, it was Jordan that made the first move to cultivate relations. A few months ago, Jordan’s foreign minister attended the memorial ceremony for Iran’s late president Ebrahim Raisi, signaling a willingness to expand ties with the Islamic Republic.

The Iranian government is not indifferent to Jordan’s relations with Israel, but shared goals and concerns have brought the two countries closer together. Araghchi’s visit to Jordan coincides with a common threat posed by the Israeli regime and its war crimes in Gaza and Lebanon, which have raised concerns throughout the region. The Iranian foreign minister has already stated that his regional tour aims to consult on preventing the spread of war and establishing a cease-fire. He likely discussed these issues with Jordanian officials as well.

The visit also sends a clear message to countries that constantly seek to deepen regional divisions. The success of Iran’s diplomatic efforts to prevent an all-out war and establish a cease-fire will become apparent in the future. However, a significant aspect of diplomacy is effort and hope. Expressing Iran’s foreign policy stances and goals in person with regional countries can bring them closer together, contributing to a stronger Middle East. This could also help resolve ambiguities and potential misunderstandings.
While not all objectives may be achieved, reaching some common goals and finding solutions to shared concerns can be seen as an achievement, which is the essence of diplomacy. Countries become aware of each other’s concerns and demands, as well as their capacities to address regional crises, through direct dialogue. They also discuss areas of disagreement.
Therefore, Araghchi’s regional tour is in line with the Islamic Republic’s declared policies, aiming to create a strong region and address the current crisis, namely the Israeli threat to the entire region. His visit to Jordan marks a turning point in bilateral relations and is a justifiable attempt to ease regional tensions.
In the same vein, we can expect the Iranian foreign minister’s upcoming visit to Egypt, which will not only strengthen bilateral ties but also reinforce Iran’s efforts to promote regional stability.