Iran is reportedly seeking to open a new front against Israel through Jordan’s border, which shares its longest border with an Arab country.
This new front would be in addition to those already established on October 7th from southern Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen.
It appears to be part of Iran’s broader strategy to escalate tensions with Israel.
Iran is activating its militias in Iraq, one of which recently launched a suicide drone towards the city of Eilat, damaging a structure at a navy base.
The objective of opening this new front seems twofold: to support the Hamas movement in Gaza ahead of an anticipated IDF operation in the Rafah area, and as retaliation against Israel for the killings of Iranian officers in Syria.
One such officer, Mohammad Reza Zahedi, commander of the Quds Force in Syria and Lebanon, was reportedly killed by Israel in Damascus.
The “Hezbollah Brigades Militia in Iraq” has declared its readiness to arm 12,000 Jordanian fighters.
Abu Ali Al-Askari, the militia’s military leader, announced plans to provide weapons and explosives to support Hamas in Gaza and disrupt the land route from Jordan to Israel.
In parallel, Iran, along with Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood, is said to be inciting protests in Jordan.
Demonstrators, particularly in front of the Israeli embassy in Amman, are demanding that the Jordanian government take a stronger stance against Israel due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
The recent escalation in Jordan is attributed to the IDF’s operation at the Shifa Hospital, which was reportedly being used as a terrorist headquarters, as well as Jewish visits to the Temple Mount during Purim.
False reports aired by Al Jazeera alleging IDF soldiers raped Palestinian women at Shifa hospital have further fueled anger among Jordanians.
King Abdullah has expressed support for Gaza residents and initiated aid shipments via Jordanian planes.
However, Hamas, in coordination with Iran, appears intent on destabilizing Jordan to create a new front against Israel.
Hamas leaders have called on Jordanians to breach the border with Israel and reach the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.
The Jordanian army is on high alert to prevent border infiltrations and quell unrest in Palestinian refugee camps.
Jordanian authorities have invoked the “Electronic Crimes Law” to summon political activists and journalists for questioning over online posts encouraging anti-Israel actions.
With parliamentary elections approaching, King Abdullah is concerned about Hamas’s growing influence in Jordanian politics and the potential for security threats from both Hamas operatives and pro-Iranian militias
