Jordan Faces Rising Iranian Missile Threat Amid U.S. Alliance Debate

Iran has fired at least 60 missiles and drones at Jordan since early July, focusing on installations that accommodate roughly 4,000 U.S. soldiers, while Jordanian casualties remain absent. The barrage follows a broader regional escalation that began after the United States and Israel launched a war against Tehran in February, and it has sparked a domestic debate about the cost of Jordan's security umbrella dating back to the 1950s. Analysts argue the kingdom's extreme exposure offers limited options for safeguarding its borders, yet the alliance continues to deliver $1.65 billion in U.S. economic and military assistance.

An open letter signed by about 300 Jordanians, including former parliamentarians and tribal leaders, urges the withdrawal of all foreign forces, warning that their presence drags the country into conflicts it does not partake in. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard praised Jordanian “solidarity” and claimed insider information helped it strike U.S. personnel, while former intelligence officer Saud Al-Sharafat sees the attacks as a strategic message to heighten internal polarization. The situation underscores Jordan’s precarious position as a resource-poor state surrounded by conflict-prone neighbours.