Prof. Khalaf Al-Tahat

In the context of regional politics and international relations, some countries attempt to seize any opportunity to reshape their media image and enhance their influence in the region. Iran, as is often the case, exploits diplomatic occasions and phone calls to achieve strategic goals that go beyond mere pleasantries. This is evident in Iran's attempt to capitalize on the phone call between Iranian President Massoud Bezhkishian and King Abdullah II of Jordan on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr. Iran sought to portray the call as evidence of deepening and expanding bilateral relations, a portrayal that significantly distorts the nature of the relationship for political and media objectives.

Phone calls between political leaders have long been a diplomatic tool for expressing mutual respect and congratulating one another during special occasions. However, when these calls are emphasized disproportionately, as was the case with the recent phone call between President Bezhkishian and King Abdullah, they become a vehicle for transmitting political messages that extend far beyond their intended purpose. In this instance, Iranian media took great liberties with the reporting of the call, focusing heavily on statements by President Bezhkishian, which promised to further strengthen bilateral relations. They claimed that Iran would continue to support Jordan in various matters, including the Palestinian issue and broader regional challenges.

Iran's strategy lies in marketing this phone call as a major step toward enhancing and even expanding relations between the two countries. While King Abdullah's statement, according to Iranian media, reportedly expressed "happiness" about the growing relationship, Iranian outlets added details and positions that were not mentioned in the official Jordanian statement. They described the call as a step that would deepen cooperation between Iran and Jordan on critical regional issues. This exaggeration aims to create the impression that relations between the two countries are moving in a strong and fruitful direction, a narrative that starkly contrasts with the reality of Jordan's concerns about Iranian influence in the region—particularly in sensitive areas such as the Palestinian cause and the situation in Syria.

Through these media strategies, Iran seeks to mislead both local and international public opinion by presenting its relationship with Jordan—despite its limited scope—as a qualitatively developed partnership. These efforts contribute to enhancing Iran’s image as a key supporter of the Palestinian cause, positioning it as an important "ally" of Jordan in facing regional challenges. However, Jordan is fully aware of the complexities surrounding the region, particularly the fragmentation of Palestinian factions, where Iran's role has often been to exploit the Palestinian issue for its own political gains, rather than fostering genuine unity.

It is unsurprising that such media efforts may also serve to diminish the stature of other countries that are traditionally close allies of Jordan, such as the Gulf States. By presenting itself as a principal player in regional issues, Iran seeks to highlight its closeness and cooperation with Jordan, potentially overshadowing the influence of Jordan’s other allies. Iranian news agencies, in their reports, indicated that the deepening relationship between Iran and Jordan would positively impact alignment on various issues, including "support for the Palestinian people." This framing positions Iran as a dominant regional force, aiming to weaken the influence of Jordan's traditional partners.

On the other hand, the official Jordanian stance, reflected in the brief official statement, was cautious. The statement from the Royal Hashemite Court made it clear that the call did not delve into substantive issues, underscoring the cautious approach adopted by Jordanian diplomacy. While Jordan seeks to maintain cordial relations with its neighbors, it remains committed to avoiding strategic alliances that could jeopardize its ties with the Gulf states or strengthen Iranian influence at the expense of regional stability. Therefore, such calls do not represent deepened cooperation, as Iran’s media might suggest, but rather a diplomatic exchange limited to formalities and pleasantries.

This approach to rejecting Iran’s media manipulation echoes Jordan's previous response to attempts by former U.S. President Donald Trump to pressure and embarrass Jordan’s leadership during their recent meeting at the White House. Trump allowed journalists into the meeting, trying to leverage the press presence to push American statements in front of King Abdullah. These statements implied that Jordan was aligned with Trump’s controversial views on the displacement of Palestinians from Gaza. Jordan’s diplomacy and media quickly exposed this ploy, firmly defending the country’s position and preventing any harm to its image or attempts at media manipulation in front of the international community.

Finally, Jordan’s diplomatic savvy and media vigilance play a key role in ensuring that foreign powers, such as Iran, cannot manipulate public perception or undermine the Kingdom’s image for political gain. Through maintaining a careful balance in its international relations and a clear, consistent media approach, Jordan demonstrates its commitment to protecting its sovereignty and its regional alliances.