Former Prime Minister Samir Al-Rifai emphasized that Jordan’s priority amid current regional transformations must be clear and unwavering: “Jordan first, Jordan last, and Jordan always.”

Speaking at a dialogue session organized by the Institute for Politics and Society as part of the Generation of Modernization project, under the title “The Current Regional War and Jordanian National Security: The U.S.-Israeli War on Iran”, and attended by researchers, experts, and young participants, Al-Rifai stressed that protecting the Jordanian state, preserving its institutions, and maintaining its stability form the foundation upon which any Jordanian role in defending just Arab causes or engaging in regional and international affairs must be built.

He called for a balanced reading of the conflict, warning against falling into two misconceptions: the first being the exoneration of the Iranian project or overlooking its practices under the pretext of supporting the Palestinian cause, and the second being the disregard of the Israeli project and its dangers under the pretext of confronting Iran. Al-Rifai stressed that both misconceptions lead to a flawed understanding that fails to reflect the complexity of the conflict.

At the outset of his remarks, Al-Rifai noted that the current regional situation should not be seen as purely a religious conflict or a simplistic moral confrontation between forces of good and evil. He described it as a struggle for influence, dominance, and balance, involving multiple projects, each with its own calculations, fears, and tools. This, he said, requires a measured political analysis grounded in state interests rather than emotional mobilization or partisanship.

He underlined that oversimplifying or reducing the conflict weakens the ability to manage it effectively and leads to biased or inaccurate interpretations that do not serve national interests, particularly Jordan’s.

Al-Rifai emphasized that the Israeli project, under the current dominance of the nationalist and religious right, poses a serious threat to the regional structure. He explained that Israel no longer merely manages occupation but seeks to reshape political, demographic, and geographic realities, undermining prospects for a two-state solution and pushing toward the displacement of Palestinians, with direct political, security, and demographic implications for Jordan.

In this context, Al-Rifai highlighted that the West Bank is no longer merely a political or humanitarian solidarity issue but a matter of direct Jordanian national security. Protecting the West Bank and preventing the displacement of its residents or undermining their political future must remain a Jordanian strategic and diplomatic priority.

Regarding Iran, Al-Rifai stressed that it cannot be understood solely through a religious or sectarian lens. Rather, it should be seen as a political project with clear objectives and a strategic approach to regional influence. While Iran has at times used religion and sectarianism as tools of mobilization, its regional actions are driven by state interests, not ideology alone. Reducing Iran to a purely religious state, he said, is a common analytical error.

Al-Rifai traced the region’s transformations since 2003, noting that the Iraq occupation created a pivotal shift in the Arab regional order, giving Iran exceptional opportunities to expand its influence across Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen. This expansion allowed Iran to build an extensive network of leverage, though it came at a cost, straining Iranian resources and affecting the stability of Arab states, weakening institutions, and fostering militias and subnational identities.

He emphasized that states act based on strategic calculations, not emotions or moral loyalty, highlighting Iran’s pragmatic engagement with countries such as Russia and Turkey, coordinating when interests align despite historical tensions.

On domestic considerations, Al-Rifai warned against societal polarization and the divisive role of social media, which amplifies accusations, oversimplifications, and fragmentation, undermining social resilience and serving projects that exploit weak states. He stressed that protecting public awareness, promoting rational discourse, and distinguishing between opinion and incitement are now essential to political and social security.

Al-Rifai reaffirmed that Jordanian decisions are made through institutional deliberation and strategic assessment, drawing on extensive experience in managing regional crises. This approach, he noted, has allowed Jordan to maintain stability and avoid the pitfalls that have affected other countries in the region.

He concluded that Jordan must remain steadfast, protecting its sovereignty, maintaining internal unity, upholding moderation, and making decisions guided by the national interest. In a highly complex regional environment, hesitation or division is unacceptable; Jordan must act with clarity, resolve, and political awareness to safeguard its security, independence, and role in the region.