Jordan, a close U.S. ally hosting American forces in the Middle East, is experiencing increased pressure due to its relationship with Washington, which has made its military bases targets of Iranian strikes. These attacks, alongside economic difficulties and instability in the West Bank, are straining the kingdom.
Despite the risks, Jordanian leaders have affirmed their commitment to the alliance, viewing it as a crucial defense against Iranian destabilization efforts in the region. King Abdullah II has previously warned that conflicts like the war in Ukraine and instability in the Middle East could lead to widespread chaos.
Jordan, a nation bordering Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Israel, and the West Bank, faces significant challenges. Its economy is burdened by millions of refugees from regional conflicts, soaring energy prices, inflation, and a struggling tourism sector. Heightened Israeli settler violence in the West Bank also raises concerns in Jordan about potential displacement of Palestinians into the kingdom.
Since assuming leadership in 1999, King Abdullah II has strengthened ties with the U.S. The monarch is respected by global leaders and has received praise from U.S. Presidents Donald Trump and Joe Biden. Jordan has historically supported U.S. operations, providing logistical and intelligence support for the 2003 invasion of Iraq and contributing to the fight against the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq.
Analysts suggest that Jordan's alliance with the U.S. is central to King Abdullah's strategy for securing the kingdom against threats, including those posed by Iran. Jordanian elites perceive Iran's support for Shiite militias in Iraq, Palestinian militant groups, and Syrian drug traffickers as direct threats to the royal government.
A 2021 defense cooperation agreement grants U.S. forces and contractors access to 12 military installations across Jordan. The NATO alliance also established its first regional liaison office in the kingdom in 2025. Jordan's Muwaffaq Salti Air Base served as a vital logistics hub for U.S. operations during the lead-up to the Iran war, hosting transport planes and combat aircraft. This strategic position makes Jordan a target, not only for U.S. forces but also for attacks aimed at the Jordanian leadership.
Approximately 8%, or an estimated $1.47 billion, of Jordan's annual budget is reportedly derived from U.S. grants. In May, U.S. military officials announced the relocation of personnel and assets from Iraq to Jordan as part of a strategy to increase distance between American forces and Iranian missiles. The drones and missiles targeting Jordan have largely been intercepted by U.S. air defenses.
Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi has defended the country's sovereign right to make its own decisions, stating that Iran's actions against Jordan and other regional nations predated recent conflicts. He emphasized that Jordan is not a party to the current war and does not accept Iran's justifications for its actions.