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Jordanian King Hails Strategic Partnership With Gulf States

Jordanian King Abdullah II met Tuesday with GCC Secretary General Nayef Al Hajraf at Al Husseiniya Palace (Petra news agency)
Jordanian King Abdullah II met Tuesday with GCC Secretary General Nayef Al Hajraf at Al Husseiniya Palace (Petra news agency)
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Jordanian King Hails Strategic Partnership With Gulf States

Jordanian King Abdullah II met Tuesday with GCC Secretary General Nayef Al Hajraf at Al Husseiniya Palace (Petra news agency)
Jordanian King Abdullah II met Tuesday with GCC Secretary General Nayef Al Hajraf at Al Husseiniya Palace (Petra news agency)

Jordanian King Abdullah II stressed Tuesday Jordan’s keenness to continue bolstering cooperation and strengthening the strategic partnership with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, especially in food and water security.

During a meeting Tuesday with GCC Secretary General Nayef Al Hajraf at Al Husseiniya Palace, the King reiterated his support for the outcomes of the 41st GCC Summit hosted by Saudi Arabia, which contributed to enhancing solidarity and stability in the Gulf Arab region, lauding the efforts of the GCC secretary general in that regard.

The meeting covered the latest Arab and regional developments, foremost of which is the Palestinian cause, with the King reaffirming the need to reach just and comprehensive peace on the basis of the two-state solution and in line with the Arab Peace Initiative, international law, and relevant UN resolutions.

King Abdullah also noted the importance of unifying the Arab front to counter challenges, and intensifying efforts to bolster joint Arab action, stressing Jordan’s support for efforts to advance Arab and Islamic causes.

For his part, Hajraf expressed appreciation for Jordan’s important role, under the King’s leadership, in promoting Arab solidarity and cooperation, noting the keenness of GCC leaders to enhance collaboration with Jordan.

On Tuesday, Hajraf also held talks with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on activating the strategic dialogue between Jordan and the GCC member states.

The two officials emphasized the importance of translating the "historical brotherly ties" between Jordan and the Gulf states into effective cooperation that would advance their joint interests and push forward natural integration.

Safadi and Hajraf also highlighted the proceedings of AlUla Summit and recommendations to support stability and boost development in Jordan and intensify efforts to implement the joint action plans that were agreed on within the framework of the strategic partnership between the Kingdom and the GCC.

Late on Monday, a Jordanian-GCC joint committee held talks on advancing cooperation between Amman and the Gulf.

Talks touched on ways to coordinate efforts aimed at implementing joint action plans within the strategic partnership framework, as agreed upon by both sides, a statement by the FM said.

The meeting, held via videoconference, was chaired by the Ministry's Secretary General Yousef Batayneh, and the Undersecretary of Regional & GCC Affairs, Waheed Mubarak Sayya.

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Arab World

Zarif Warns of All-Out Civil War in Syria, Proposes Initiative for Regional Dialogue

Iran's Vice President for Strategic Affairs and former Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif (Iranian Presidency)
Iran's Vice President for Strategic Affairs and former Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif (Iranian Presidency)
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Zarif Warns of All-Out Civil War in Syria, Proposes Initiative for Regional Dialogue

Iran's Vice President for Strategic Affairs and former Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif (Iranian Presidency)
Iran's Vice President for Strategic Affairs and former Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif (Iranian Presidency)

Iran's Vice President for Strategic Affairs and former Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, warned on Tuesday of an all-out civil war in Syria.
His comments came in an initiative calling for dialogue between countries in the region, including the new government in Syria.
In an op-ed in The Economist on Monday, republished by the Iranian IRNA news agency, the Vice President outlined an approach to regional security and economic development through the creation of the Muslim West Asian Dialogue Association (MWADA), meaning “amity” in Arabic, with the aim to foster peaceful coexistence and equitable partnerships.
He said the initiative’s key priority is the establishment of immediate sustainable, permanent ceasefires in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria and Yemen.
Iran's influence in the Middle East has suffered setbacks following Israeli attacks on its Palestinian Hamas and Lebanese Hezbollah allies, and the subsequent fall of President Bashar Assad's regime in Syria.
Zarif’s initiative comes amid heightened expectations in Tehran over US President-elect Donald Trump's policy towards Iran as he prepares to take office in the White House.
Syria’s Challenge
Zarif said MWADA invites all core Muslim countries in West Asia, including the future government of Syria to engage in comprehensive negotiations.
This initiative should be grounded in the sublime values of our common religion, Islam, and on the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, non-intervention and collective security,” he wrote.
Iran has spent billions of dollars supporting Bashar Assad during the war in Syria, and has deployed Revolutionary Guard troops in the country to keep its ally in power since the civil war erupted in 2011.
Lately, Ahmad al-Sharaa, head of the new Syrian government, made statements criticizing the role Iran has played in Syria over the past years.
In his op-ed, Zarif said, “post-Assad Syria presents a major challenge to us all.”
He said that unbridled Israeli aggression disregarding Syrian sovereignty, foreign interference undermining Syrian territorial integrity, horrifying scenes of violence and brutality reminiscent of ISIS savagery, and ethnic and sectarian violence—which may lead to an all-out civil war—require the immediate attention of the proposed MWADA.
The Iranian official added that a proposed MWADA Development Fund can finance critical infrastructure projects, particularly in devastated post-conflict areas.
Additionally, he said, governance reforms in Syria—as a basis for economic assistance—will promote accountability and lay the groundwork for a safe and stable country where women and minorities can thrive.
Concerning Palestine, Zarif said the humanitarian disaster also remains critical for regional stability.
“MWADA must prioritize Palestinian self-determination and support just solutions while fully respecting the aspirations of the people. This involves not just political solutions but also economic opportunities and the recognition of Palestinian rights,” he wrote.
Security of Navigation
Concerning relations with Saudi Arabia, Zarif said partnership between Tehran and Riyadh, two of the region’s most influential powers—will play a crucial role.
“By fostering unity and brotherhood among Shiite and Sunni Muslims, we can counter the extremism and sectarian strife that have historically destabilized the region,” he said.
Zarif also suggested a new regional cooperation on freedom of navigation, including joint maritime-security patrols.
He said the region is home to strategic chokepoints including the Strait of Hormuz, the Suez Canal and the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
“Iran, given its location and security expertise, is uniquely positioned to contribute to the security of waterways like the Strait of Hormuz,” he wrote, adding that others can play a leading role in securing Suez and Bab al-Mandab.
He then recalled the Hormuz Peace Endeavor or HOPE, which he suggested in 2019. The initiative came amid escalation of tensions in regional waters, after Iran responded to US sanctions by seizing foreign oil tankers.
Zarif’s initiative also called on working towards a region free from nuclear weapons and reviving the Iran nuclear deal (the JCPOA).
Iran’s Role
Speaking about Iran’s role, Zarif said like other participants, Tehran would play an indispensable role.
“Over the past 45 years, my country has demonstrated remarkable resilience and self-sufficiency in security and defense, managing to survive and even thrive; not just without foreign assistance, but in spite of pressure from extra-regional powers,” he wrote.
The widely believed perception of Iran losing its arms in the region stems from a wrong assumption that Iran has had proxy-patron relationships with resistance forces, he added.
Zarif said that trying to attribute it to Iran may serve a public relations campaign but will obstruct any resolution.
MWADA challenges us to re-imagine the region not as a battleground but as a hub of MWADA, amity and empathy, characterized by the pursuit of shared opportunities and collective prosperity, he noted.
“Transforming West Asia into a beacon of peace and collaboration is not just an idealistic aspiration; it is both a strategic imperative and an achievable goal that requires only commitment, dialogue and a shared vision,” the Iranian official said.
In a video message delivered in English on the occasion of Christmas, the Iranian Vice President for Strategic Affairs warned that the escalating tensions in the Middle East could lead to an uncontrollable global crisis.