Jordan’s foreign minister to visit Iran as tension spikes after Hamas chief’s assassination

By Laith Al-Jnaidi

AMMAN, Jordan (AA) - Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi is set to visit Iran on Sunday to discuss regional developments amid rising tensions following the killing of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.

The Jordanian Foreign Ministry said Safadi will convey a message from King Abdullah II to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian regarding regional developments and bilateral relations.

The top diplomat will also hold talks with his Iranian counterpart Ali Bagheri Kani during his visit, the ministry said.

The visit comes as tension spiked following the July 31 assassination of Haniyeh, who was in Tehran to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Iran’s new president.

Hamas and Iran have accused Israel of carrying out Haniyeh’s assassination, while Tel Aviv has not confirmed or denied its responsibility.

The assassination came one day after Israel killed senior Hezbollah commander Fouad Shukr in an airstrike in Beirut’s southern suburb. Iran-backed Hezbollah has vowed to retaliate his killing.

On Thursday, Safadi said in a press conference that "if there is any escalation, our top priority is to protect Jordan and the safety of Jordanians."

In April, during Iran’s first direct attack on Israel, some missiles and drones crossed Jordanian airspace, with some intercepted by the kingdom's defenses for violating its sovereignty.

The tension comes against the backdrop of an Israeli onslaught on Gaza, which has killed nearly 39,600 victims since last October, following an attack by Hamas.

*Writing by Ikram Kouachi