US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has denied any knowledge of reports suggesting US-Israeli coordination to strip the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan of its custodianship over the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in East Jerusalem, while reaffirming the strong ties between Washington and Amman.

The remarks came during an official hearing, where Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen directly questioned Rubio regarding the veracity of circulating reports about removing the Jordanian custodianship. The US Secretary of State responded, "I'm not even aware of those reports," while questioning the accuracy of such media sources and asking whether the websites publishing them were credible.

During the roughly 40-second exchange, Rubio emphasized the deep partnership with Jordan, adding, "We have a great relationship with Jordan. I've never heard that." Senator Van Hollen immediately welcomed the remarks, expressing satisfaction with the official State Department stance explicitly denying these reports.

Meanwhile, an official Jordanian source confirmed to AmmanNet that Jordan's stance regarding the city of Jerusalem and its Islamic and Christian holy sites remains firm and unchanged.

The source explained that the Hashemite custodianship of the holy sites is a responsibility upheld by His Majesty King Abdullah II, and is firmly recognized and documented in international treaties and agreements, including Article 9 of the Jordan-Israel Peace Treaty.

The source further highlighted to AmmanNet the agreement signed between King Abdullah II and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, which reaffirmed ongoing joint Jordanian-Palestinian efforts to protect Jerusalem and its sacred sites from continuous Israeli violations.

The source emphasized that while sovereignty over the holy sites belongs to the Palestinian people, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan holds the custodianship over them.

Furthermore, the source stressed that Israel, as an occupying power, has no authority under international law or UN Security Council resolutions to alter the historic and legal status quo of Jerusalem.

The source added that Jordan utilizes all available avenues to protect the holy sites and preserve their Arab, Islamic, and Christian identity, in full coordination with Palestinian counterparts, Arab and Islamic nations, and international partners.

The Kingdom, the source affirmed, will continue its efforts to safeguard Jerusalem and its sanctuaries, and will counter any attempts aimed at altering the established status quo in the city.