Jordan Has Remained Resilient Despite Iran's Regional Influence

(MENAFN- Amman Net) Jordan has remained resilient despite mounting regional pressures in recent decades especially Iranian desires to expand its regional influence by exploiting internal divisions within Arab states.
Today, as Iran's regional stronghold weakens, Jordan can reinforce its role as an anchor of stability in the Middle East. The Iranian Axis of Resistance continues to face existential challenges and a shift in Political leaders, including the new Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, who aims to further sideline and isolate Hezbollah-an Iranian proxy, while Al Jolani, the de-facto leader of Syria, stated he would not be joining the Axis of Resistance. Grounded by these changes, Jordan faces the opportunity to pave the way for more secure and stable borders, as they exemplify a turning point in further political realignments and a renewed focus of hope for a more stable Jordan and a broader Middle East.
The significance of these political shifts becomes apparent when considering Iran's rapid expansion in the Middle East; King Abdullah of Jordan warned in an interview about the rise and the formation of this Shiite crescent, fearing its impact on Jordanian security. Amidst tensions in the region, Iran seized expanding opportunities during dire times in significant Shiite-populated countries: Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and Gaza to form this“crescent.” By providing military expertise, forces, money, and weapons, Iran established what is now known as the Axis of Resistance–a network of state and non-state actors committed to countering Western and Israeli presence in the region that the King has for so long warned. As these warnings turned into reality, Syria, Iran's“golden ring,” served as the primary hub for Captagon smuggling through Jordan flowing to the Gulf. The influx of drugs destabilized Jordanian and Gulf societies, particularly among the youth, and escalated border tensions. In addition, Iranian militias in Iraq and Syria continuously smuggled weapons to a Jordan-based cell of the Muslim Brotherhood, posing an evident threat to Jordanian stability and sovereignty.
This Iranian ability to exploit instability in neighboring states was key to forming the Axis of Resistance. Following the fall of Saddam Hussein to the US-led coalition, Al-Hashd Al-Shaabi surfaced as a critical Iranian-backed militant group that capitalized on a power vacuum as the US unexpectedly pulled its forces out of Iraq. While in Lebanon, Hezbollah's rise to influence initially emerged as a rise to resist Israeli invasion in 1982. Three years later, Hezbollah officially realigned to become a part of the Iranian network, gaining access to hundreds of millions of dollars in military funding, including funds for humanitarian efforts. Similarly, Shiite Yemeni Houthis gained the financial and logistical backing of Iran to wage an insurgency against Saudi Arabia and Israel. At the same time, Syria, a long-time Iranian partner known as the golden ring for Iran, was used as a logistical gateway into the Lebanese Hezbollah and as a training ground for the Iranian army who fought to preserve the Al-Assad regime during times of civil war.
Under Khomeini's leadership, the Supreme Leader of Iran, and Soleimani's coordination, Commander of the Elite Forces, the Axis of Resistance grew into a security alliance that safeguarded the stability of each proxy. This interconnectedness created a cohesive strategy that continuously tied Tehran to its now-cemented regional allies that worked together to fight the state of Israel and pro-Western Arab states. However, once a dominant force through this network, Tehran faces unprecedented challenges as its key proxies are in disarray.
Israeli airstrikes targeting Hezbollah's leadership-Hassan Nasrallah, Ali Karaki, Nabil Kaouk, Ibrahim Aqil, and others-weakened operational and leadership capabilities within Hezbollah. Iran also lost its geographical corridor, Syria. With its ongoing instability and loss of centralized control, Tehran now finds itself increasingly vulnerable in maintaining influence over far-reaching regions like Lebanon and Gaza; the newly elected Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, an outspoken critic of Iran and Hezbollah, has clearly expressed his aim to reunite Lebanon and“make the army the sole legitimate force in the country.” Such cracks in Iranian influence suggest optimism that Lebanon has the chance to break free from Iranian influence. At the same time, Syria stands at a crossroads-facing either collapse into a void of anarchy or transformation into a stable regional partner.
A successful transition in Syria could lead to decreased drug and arms smuggling, fewer Iranian militia on Jordanian borders, and a halt in advanced weaponry near Jordanian territories. This would promote a strengthening of regional cooperation with the Gulf and Egypt. A renewed and sovereign Syria would relieve neighboring states, including Jordan, from the destabilizing effects of Iranian spillover.
Iran's waning influence signals a pivotal opportunity for Jordan-not only to engage in regional diplomacy but also to bolster Jordanian defense mechanisms, curb illicit trade, and reinforce its role as a stabilizing force in the Middle East. However, Jordan and its regional partners must decisively capitalize on Iran's weakening grip while remaining vigilant to emerging by-products of this shift in regional order; Jordan can then cement its position as a cornerstone to stability in the Middle East by leading the way in shaping a post-Iranian landscape with firm leadership and strategic foresightedness.
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The writer is a recent Jordanian high school graduate and a freshman at Portland Community College. Since the age of 13, he has engaged in interviews with prominent businessmen and politicians throughout the region, seeking to deepen his understanding of the Jordanian political and economic landscape. Laith is currently being mentored by Dr. Marwan Muasher, who has guided him in the development of this article.

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