In a recent article titled “The Path to Jerusalem Passes Through Jordan,” an Iranian state-run media outlet harshly criticized and slammed Jordan. The article asserted that Jordan, due to its shared border with Palestine and proximity to the western coast of the Persian Gulf, holds particular significance in “the liberation of occupied Palestine.” It further stated that despite economic weaknesses, Jordan provided significant strategic assistance to Saddam Hussein during the Iran-Iraq War, primarily due to its proximity to Iraq.
Why has Jordan incurred the wrath of the Iranian government?
Jordan has been actively involved in intercepting drug trafficking activities conducted by Hezbollah, both in Syria and Lebanon. In this context, Jordan launched an airstrike on a drug production facility in Syria. On January 4, citing Jordanian and regional intelligence sources, Reuters reported, “Jordan launched air strikes inside Syria against suspected warehouses and hideouts of Iranian-backed drug smugglers.”
Hezbollah forces have been using drones to transport drugs, particularly Captagon (Fenethylline) pills. Since Jordan’s crackdown on the regime’s drug trafficking, the regime has adopted a hostile stance toward the Jordanian government. This is because Jordan’s actions have hindered billions of dollars in profits to Hezbollah and Tehran.
Jordanian officials have pointed out that “Hezbollah in Lebanon and Iranian-affiliated militias in southern Syria play a role in increasing arms and drug smuggling.” According to UN agencies, US officials, and European Union authorities, a portion of the funds for Iranian-affiliated militias and supporters of the Bashar al-Assad government are provided through this route. Officials in Western countries combating drug trafficking state that Syria has become one of the major hubs for the multi-billion-dollar drug trade, especially Captagon, which is smuggled through Jordan.
The #Iranian regime denies involvement in the killing of #US personnel in Jordan. Watch and judge why scrutiny is warranted as its highest-ranking officials have repeatedly expressed intent to do so over the years. pic.twitter.com/OYeAuwnw2N
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) January 30, 2024
The Fourth Division of Syria, under the command of General Maher al-Assad, brother of Bashar al-Assad, is currently responsible for the main Captagon trade. The Syrian dictator also facilitates drug trafficking by Hezbollah and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Additionally, the Iranian regime uses the Latakia port, which it partially controls, for Captagon trafficking.
Analysts at Chatham House have evaluated that ” The illicit production, smuggling and sale of this amphetamine-like narcotic are thought to be worth $5 billion a year, a large part of which props up Bashir al-Assad’s brutal regime in Syria and the militant group Hezbollah.”
Al-Sharq Al-Awsat reported that Syria and Iran use Captagon as a weapon against opposing countries in the region.
Regional media outlets have reported that many Hamas members used Captagon during the attack on Israel on October 7. This psychotropic substance was found on the bodies of Hamas members and those detained during the attack. Furthermore, reports in Persian-language media have revealed that “during the suppression of the revolutionary uprising in Iran in December 2022, security forces, police, and members of the IRGC used Captagon pills to instill fear and increase repression.
Over the years, Jordan has strongly condemned the Iranian regime’s aggressive actions in the region. The presence of the Al-Tanf Base in Jordan, situated near Syria and Iraq, underscores its strategic importance as the largest US military base in the area. Jordan unequivocally denounced Iran’s missile attacks and military endeavors, labeling the use of Jordanian airspace for such purposes as a clear violation of international law. Amman has pledged to lodge formal complaints with international organizations regarding these infringements.
#Iran News in Brief
At a joint press conference on January 29, #UnitedStates Secretary of State Antony Blinken and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg condemned the drone attack on U.S. forces in #Jordan and blamed the Iranian regime for backing the militias responsible for… pic.twitter.com/YfrrBkT1H4— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) January 30, 2024
Notably, Jordan also actively intercepted some of the Iranian regime’s missile and drone attacks targeting Israel, particularly those occurring on April 14.
The regime’s aggressive behavior, exemplified by the October 7 attacks, has laid bare its strategic failures and its penchant for regional destabilization. As Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei continues to exploit regional tensions to bolster his regime’s survival, Iranian state media are employed as tools of intimidation, pressuring Jordan into a position of passivity.
Hence, echoing the Iranian regime’s infamous slogan from the devastating Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s, the state-affiliated Ebtekar newspaper wrote on April 20, “To the justice-seeking people of Jordan and the mujahideen of the region, we proclaim, ‘The path to Jerusalem passes through Hashemite Jordan,'” openly intimating Amman with the prospect of direct invasion.
The Iranian regime has repeatedly demonstrated weakness when faced with decisive actions, often leading to retreat. Despite bold claims by top officials of Israel’s potential demise should it respond to Iran’s retaliatory strike on April 14, the regime not only refrained from action but also denied any Israeli operations on April 19, further damaging its international reputation.
While state television may showcase aggressive rhetoric and dramatic missile launches into open deserts, the regime’s real power is derived solely from the inaction and silence of its adversaries.
