Former Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Rajai Al-Muasher expressed deep concern and a sense of confusion regarding the ongoing war in the region, noting that Jordan and other Arab states are caught between two competing projects, each posing a direct threat to their interests.

In an article published in Al-Rai under the title “Confusion Between Israel and Iran”, Al-Muasher emphasized that Iran is no longer merely a traditional regional actor, but has become a decisive force in matters of war and peace within Arab countries such as Lebanon, Yemen, and Iraq. He highlighted that Iran leverages sectarian dynamics to expand its influence, contributing to the fragmentation of national structures and weakening broader national allegiance in favor of narrower loyalties linked to external agendas.

On the other side, Al-Muasher noted that Israel’s ruling right-wing openly pursues expansionist ambitions, aiming to establish a state stretching “from the Nile to the Euphrates,” while strengthening its military, economic, and technological power to assert regional dominance, supported by political backing from the United States. He added that the similarity between the Iranian and Israeli projects extends beyond political ambition to ideological and doctrinal frameworks, with each relying on a narrative of exceptionalism that justifies domination: Israel through the concept of the “Chosen People,” and Iran through the idea of the Aryan origins of the Iranian nation.

Al-Muasher also pointed out that U.S. support for Israel, contrasted with Iran’s ideological discourse and that of its allies, amplifies the role of religion in the political conflict, giving it dimensions that go beyond national interests and are difficult to reverse. He stressed that understanding the situation requires a realistic perspective, free from ideological bias, as states ultimately act based on their interests while employing ideology to justify their policies.

Regarding the impact on Jordanian citizens, Al-Muasher highlighted the profound contradiction they face: while they aspire to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital, they also fear repeating the experiences of Arab countries that lost parts of their sovereignty due to alignment with regional axes. He affirmed that Jordan’s stance remains clear and unwavering: it will not serve as a battleground or corridor for any external conflict, upholding the kingdom’s principles of rejecting forced displacement, protecting national sovereignty, and refusing the use of its territory or airspace by any party in the conflict.

Since the outbreak of the Gaza war, Al-Muasher noted, Jordan has played an active diplomatic role under the leadership of His Majesty the King, proposing a comprehensive vision for a ceasefire, delivering humanitarian aid, and revitalizing a serious political process leading to the establishment of a Palestinian state, while securing international support for this vision.

Al-Muasher also warned against rumors and campaigns of distortion targeting Jordan, stressing that doubts cast on the performance of Jordanian security forces in intercepting rockets and drones constitute a breach of national duty, describing such skepticism at its extreme as “treason.” He emphasized that the Jordanian military’s efforts are a sovereign duty, protecting the kingdom and its citizens.

In conclusion, Al-Muasher called on citizens and institutions to recognize the gravity of the current phase, safeguard national security, reject all forms of aggression, and rise above divisions so that Jordan remains a decision-maker rather than a tool in the conflicts of others, wishing for the protection and prosperity of Jordan, both its leadership and its people.