The Jordanian flag alongside a Muslim Brotherhood political party flag

Jordan Foils Iranian Plot To Destabilize Monarchy, But Problems Run Deeper

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The Judean Staff
Explainer

In an alarming development that signals Iran ramping up its campaign for regional dominance, Jordan has thwarted an Iranian scheme to destabilize the kingdom by smuggling weapons into its territory. This intricate plot, involving Iranian-backed militias in Syria, sought to empower detractors of Jordan's monarchy through acts of sabotage, hinting at a broader conspiracy by an unusual alliance of Islamist Shia and Sunni groups. 

The intercepted arsenal was intended for a cell associated with the Muslim Brotherhood in Jordan, a Sunni Islamist organization that is banned in much of the Arab world. The Muslim Brotherhood, a pan-Islamic movement founded in 1928, is the ideological parent of Hamas as well as the myriad of Muslim organizations in America and Europe orchestrating the near daily disruptive pro-Gaza protests on university campuses, highways and city streets.

Amidst escalating tensions in the Middle East, where an American-backed Israel contends with the terror group Hamas in Gaza, this discovery underscores a sinister network designed by Iran to challenge pro-Western Muslim states. The timing of these arrests—during a period of heightened regional conflict—underscores the gravity of the threat to Jordan, a critical ally of the U.S. and a linchpin in Middle Eastern geopolitics, bordered by nations embroiled in Iran's strategic ambitions.

King Abdullah of Jordan faces an extraordinary predicament. The vast majority of Jordan's population is of Palestinian origin, and the ongoing Gaza crisis has intensified public dissent, challenging Abdullah's efforts to balance his kingdom's foundational support for the Palestinian cause with its commitments to U.S. alliances and peaceful recognition of Israel. Public outrage over Israel's counter-offensive in Gaza after the brazen attacks by Hamas on October 7th has erupted into protests, with some even branding the king a traitor, particularly after Jordan's active participation in an broad U.S. & Israeli led coalition to intercept a massive Iranian strike aimed at Israel.

This scenario places the Jordanian monarchy in a precarious position, signaling potential for widespread unrest or even an internal power struggle if the public's dissatisfaction with government policies continues to grow. Moreover, the involvement of the Muslim Brotherhood, a group with deep roots and significant influence within Jordan, in these alleged plots, adds another layer of complexity to the security challenges facing King Abdullah. Jordan's High Court banned the Brotherhood in 2020 after years of tensions that spiked during the Arab Spring of 2011. Historically, Jordan has had a good relationship with the Muslim Brotherhood dating back to 1945 when the Kingdom's founder, King Abdullah I backed the transnational-Islamist group's Jordanian inauguration in 1945. Jordan's pivot to the West in the late 1990's paired with the banning of the extremist group across much of the Arab world contributed to the break between the Kingdom and the Brotherhood.

The thwarted attempt is just another act commissioned by Iran in an attempt to overthrow the Hashemite Kingdom with the ultimate goal of establishing an Iranian-backed Shiite dominance in the Middle East, as well as establish another front along Israel's border. The Islamic Republic of Iran is not merely engaging in regional politics but orchestrating a sweeping campaign to escalate its influence and establish a Shia hegemony. According to a striking analysis in early April by the US-based Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI), Iran’s actions in Jordan signify a broader, more insidious strategy to envelop the region under its sway.

MEMRI's report sheds light on how Iran, undeterred by significant losses from Israeli airstrikes that have decimated the upper echelon of its IRGC Quds Force, is forging ahead with a grand design to topple the Jordanian regime. This strategic move is aimed at creating a new front against Israel from the east, complementing the persistent threats from Lebanon, Syria, Gaza, Iraq and Yemen - all orchestrated by Tehran-backed proxies.

The ultimate objective of this multifaceted campaign is to thwart the burgeoning Saudi-American efforts towards normalization with Israel, undermine American influence, and destabilize stalwart U.S. allies like Saudi Arabia and Egypt. With the U.S. administration distracted by unrest within its borders, a November Presidential election as well as the Ukrainian and Taiwanese crises, Iran sees an opportunity to expedite its revolutionary agenda, pushing the Middle East towards a precipice of Shiite dominance.

Reports last month from the London-based dissident network "Iran International," highlight the Tehran-backed Iraqi Hezbollah battalions’ readiness to arm and mobilize over 12,000 fighters in Jordan, signifying a massive scale of commitment to subvert Jordanian stability. These movements are not random bursts of violence but well-coordinated efforts by Iran, leveraging Sunni groups like Hamas and the broader Muslim Brotherhood network to execute its regional ambitions.

This destabilizing wave spearheaded by Iran extends beyond mere political maneuvering. It includes cultural and religious infiltrations, notably attempts to increase Shiite religious tourism in historically significant sites within Jordan, which local authorities openly view with suspicion and resistance.  The implications of Iran’s actions are profound, threatening not only the stability of Jordan but the broader architectural peace and security framework of the Middle East. The international community, particularly powers vested in the region's stability, must remain vigilant and proactive in countering Iran’s aggressive pursuits to ensure the sovereignty and peace of nations like Jordan are preserved.

As Jordan grapples with these multifaceted threats, The King's strategic decisions in the coming months will be crucial in steering the nation away from potential chaos and ensuring that Jordan does not become a battleground for conflicts that transcend its borders. The stakes could not be higher for Abdullah, who must navigate these treacherous waters with utmost caution to maintain his nation's stability and safeguard its future.

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