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Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - Jordan refused four applications submitted by Iranian parties to launch Iranian religious tourism in Jordan in a regular manner, revealed a high-delegate officer.

The Jordanian officer, who preferred to remain anonymous, told Asharq al-Awsat that these applications were submitted within three years and that the rejection was due to political conditions in the region and certain Iranians stances that urge extremism.

He added that three applications were officially submitted by officers between 2014 and 2015. The fourth was submitted by a tourist company that is now active between Iraq and Iran. He continued that the idea of constructing a Hussainia in Jordan is unacceptable.

The Jordanian officer stressed that for the time being, it’s unacceptable for Iraqis and Iranians to perform organized visits to the shrines in Al Mazar Al Janoubi. Mohammed Nouh Al Qudah, a former youth and Awqaf minister in Jordan, said that Iran repeatedly requested Jordan’s permission to construct Hussainiat and launch religious tourism in the country but was turned down.

The tomb of Jafar-bin-Abi Talib is located 140 km away from the capital in addition to other religious tourist sites in Jordan that are highly important for the Shi’a especially Iranian ones.

Iranian and Jordanian share tense relations especially that Iran did not stop its threats toward the region in general and to Jordan in specific.

Jordanian authorities disclosed mid 2015 interesting details regarding a plan to carry out terrorist operations in Jordan by a member of Iranian Quds Force. He was caught possessing 45 kg of a highly explosive material.

The number of Iranian tourists coming to Al Mazar Al Janoubi dropped sharply. In 2013, tourists rate dropped to the half after it was 65,000 before. Following the Arab Spring, Iran renewed requests to launch religious tourism in Jordan.

*Asharq Al-awsat