King Abdullah tells Iran that Jordan will not be theatre for war

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi blames Israel for 'critical' situation in region

Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Al Safadi, right, greets his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi on his arrival in Amman on Wednesday. EPA

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King Abdullah of Jordan has told Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi that the kingdom "will not be a theatre for regional conflicts", the Royal Palace said on Wednesday. The statement comes amid possible Israeli retaliation for Iran's October 1 missile attacks on Israel, which could further destabilise the Middle East.

Mr Araghchi was in Amman as part of a regional tour that will include Egypt and Turkey. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had agreed to limit his country’s response against Iran, sparing the infrastructure for oil production, the heart of Iran's economy, according to US media.

The Royal Palace said King Abdullah affirmed "the need for regional de-escalation" during his meeting with Mr Araghchi, including a halt to the Gaza war and the war between Lebanon's Hezbollah and Israel.

Jordan, which has a peace treaty with Israel and is allied with the US, played a role in shooting down some of the Iranian missiles fired at Israel on October 1. Jordanian officials said the military would also not allow Israel to abuse its airspace.

"His Majesty the King renewed the assertion that Jordan will not be a theatre for regional conflicts," the Royal Palace said.

Mr Araghchi earlier met the Jordanian Prime Minister Ayman Al Safadi and blamed Israel for the "critical" situation in the region, Iranian state media said.

The Wall Street Journal reported last week that Jordan is among Arab countries Iran has threatened if they help Israel in the expected strike. Although Jordan and Iran have diplomatic relations, the kingdom has not had an ambassador in Tehran for years because of Amman's objections to Iranian action in the region.

Tension between the two escalated two years ago after Jordan accused pro-Iranian militias of involvement in a multibillion dollar a year narcotics smuggling operation through southern Syria to Jordan.

In a rare report on state media, Jordanian television said on Wednesday that security forces have foiled 36 smuggling attempts, mostly from Syria, since the beginning of the year. But it did not give any indication of the quantities of drugs seized or how much is being smuggled.

After his visit to Jordan, Mr Araghchi will head to Egypt and Turkey, Iranian state media said. Ties between Israel and Egypt, as well as Israel and Turkey, have been frayed by the Israel-Gaza war.

Mr Araghchi's office quoted him on Wednesday as telling UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres that Iran is ready for a “decisive and regretful” response to any Israeli “adventures”.