Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) expressed gratitude to the “Honorable people and mujahid soldiers of Jordan” for allegedly providing intelligence that facilitated recent attacks on U.S. military forces. The IRGC claimed that this cooperation enabled them to target American positions in the Al-Azraq region, resulting in the destruction of 20 warehouses and the deaths of numerous U.S. personnel. The IRGC also asserted that they had damaged U.S. military aircraft at Jordan’s Aqaba Airport, despite Jordanian officials denying any evacuation of the airport and seaport. Experts indicate that, despite the IRGC’s claims, Iran lacks a significant support base in Jordan, where public opinion is largely against Iranian influence and Shiism is not recognized, limiting Tehran’s operational effectiveness in the country.
Why It Matters
The IRGC’s claims highlight ongoing tensions between Iran and the United States, as well as Iran’s efforts to destabilize neighboring countries, including Jordan. Historically, Iran has sought to undermine Jordanian authorities and has been linked to activities that support Palestinian militant groups. Jordan’s intelligence capabilities are regarded as among the best in the region, often cooperating with Western agencies, which has enabled it to counteract potential threats from Iranian-backed militias. Public sentiment in Jordan overwhelmingly views Iran as a competitor or enemy, indicating a significant barrier to Iranian influence in the region.
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