Amman, Jordan — Since anti-regime protests erupted across Iran, the Jordanian press has closely monitored the developments, adopting a cautious and measured tone that avoids linking the unrest to alleged Israeli involvement or openly endorsing the protesters. This approach reflects Jordan’s broader policy of avoiding political polarization while acknowledging the gravity of events unfolding inside the Islamic Republic.
Jordanian newspapers, particularly independent outlets, have focused on humanitarian aspects of the protests rather than geopolitical speculation. Coverage has emphasized reports from international human rights organizations and eyewitness accounts, while largely refraining from framing the demonstrations as externally driven or as a direct challenge supported by foreign powers.
The protests began following the death of a 22-year-old Kurdish woman who was arrested by Iran’s so-called “morality police” for allegedly failing to comply with the Islamic dress code. According to the Jordanian daily Al-Ghad, the woman was subjected to abuse while in custody and later died from her injuries. “Her death led to widespread demonstrations across Iran,” the newspaper reported, adding that security forces responded with “violent methods” to disperse protesters.
Citing Amnesty International, Al-Ghad noted what it described as “an alarming increase in killings” during the crackdown, alongside the arrest of thousands of demonstrators nationwide. Several analysts quoted in the report also raised questions about the sustainability of the Iranian political system, with some discussing the possibility of regime change or further ideological radicalization.
Despite the critical tone adopted by some columnists, the Jordanian government has consistently described the protests as an internal Iranian matter. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reiterated that Jordan will not allow its territory to be used as a platform for political activism targeting foreign governments, stressing the need to preserve public order and regional stability.
Relations between Jordan and Iran have improved in recent years after periods of tension linked to security and economic concerns. Nevertheless, skepticism toward Tehran remains evident in Jordanian political discourse, particularly in opinion pieces published by senior lawmakers and former officials.
In a November 19, 2023 column published by the independent website Ammon News, Jordanian Senator Ghazi Al-Rabab’ah delivered a scathing assessment of the Iranian regime. “We have not forgotten the slogans raised against the Arabs in the early days of the Iranian revolution,” he wrote. “It soon became clear that the regime does not support Arab causes or Islamic unity, but rather uses religion to pursue sectarian ambitions and expand its influence in Arab lands.”
Al-Rabab’ah accused Tehran of exploiting the Palestinian issue as a political tool, describing the Iranian regime as “the most dangerous cancer in the Islamic nation.” He also criticized Iran’s role in Iraq, saying it had “eroded Iraqi sovereignty and turned the country into an arena for regional conflict.”
Similar views were expressed by Sami Al-Halaiqa, chairman of Al-Dostour daily and a former Jordanian minister of information. In several recent articles, Al-Halaiqa argued that Iran bears primary responsibility for decades of regional instability. “Since Ayatollah Khomeini came to power, the export of the Islamic Revolution has been the core of Iran’s regional project,” he wrote, adding that this policy had inflicted “severe pain and immeasurable losses” across the Arab world.
As protests continue in Iran, Jordanian media are likely to maintain their cautious reporting line, balancing humanitarian concern with political restraint, while critical voices within the kingdom continue to debate the long-term regional implications of Tehran’s policies.
source : memri.org
