In a recent development, Jordanian security forces have reportedly foiled a significant sabotage plot allegedly orchestrated by the leadership of the Iranian regime. The thwarted conspiracy aimed to smuggle weapons into Jordan to support opposition groups in carrying out destructive activities within the kingdom.
According to two well-informed Jordanian sources, who preferred to remain anonymous due to security concerns, the weapons were smuggled through proxy forces backed by the Iranian regime in Syria. These arms were intended for a faction of the Muslim Brotherhood in Jordan, which maintains connections with the military wing of Hamas. The plot was uncovered in early April when a subversive group of Jordanians of Palestinian descent was apprehended, leading to the seizure of a weapons cache.
Although the specific types of weapons seized during the April raid remain undisclosed, security services have noted that there have been numerous attempts in recent months to smuggle various arms into the country. These include mines, explosives, Kalashnikov rifles, and 107 mm Katyusha rockets. This thwarted plot, revealed here for the first time by knowledgeable sources, is part of a broader network known as the ‘Axis of Resistance,’ which is associated with the Islamic Republic.
The timing of this discovery is particularly significant, coinciding with heightened tensions in the Middle East and ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. The plot’s objective was to destabilize Jordan, potentially turning it into a regional flashpoint amid the Gaza crisis. Jordan’s strategic importance is underscored by its hosting of a US military base and its borders with Israel, Syria, and Iraq—regions that are home to Iranian-backed militias.
Most of the clandestine weapon flows into Jordan have been directed towards the Palestinian territories in the West Bank. However, some of the seized arms were intended for use within Jordan by the Muslim Brotherhood faction aligned with Hamas. A source familiar with security operations explained the methods used to conceal these weapons. They are hidden in pits, referred to as “dead spots,” marked with GPS coordinates, and photographed. Operatives are later instructed to retrieve these hidden caches.
The Muslim Brotherhood, a longstanding legal entity in Jordan, is perceived by authorities to be a target for radicalization by groups allied with the Iranian regime, such as Hamas and Hezbollah. These groups aim to attract younger, more radical members of the Brotherhood to their anti-Israeli and anti-American agendas. A senior Brotherhood member, speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the arrested cell members were recruited by Saleh al-Arouri, the deputy head of Hamas, who was recently killed in an Israeli military strike in Beirut.
Jordanian officials have not made any public statements regarding the alleged weapons plot or the subsequent arrests. However, one of the sources mentioned that intelligence officials had briefed senior Brotherhood figures about the dismantling of the subversive core that linked their movement with Hamas.
Over the past year, Jordan has reported numerous interceptions of attempts by infiltrators linked to pro-Iran militias in Syria to smuggle weaponry across its borders. These attempts included rocket launchers and explosives, although some weapons have managed to slip through undetected. The Islamic Republic has consistently denied any involvement in smuggling military equipment.
Jordan, home to millions of Palestinian refugees who fled their homeland following the establishment of Israel, faces internal discontent. This discontent was recently exacerbated when Jordan joined a US-led initiative to aid Israel in intercepting drones and missiles fired by the Islamic Republic. Critics expressed their dissent by circulating doctored images of King Abdullah II draped in an Israeli flag, labeling him a “traitor,” “Western puppet,” and other derogatory terms.
The divide between governmental actions and public sentiment has become increasingly apparent. Jordanian journalist Bassam Badari remarked on the growing resentment, noting that Jordan’s traditionally neutral stance has shifted towards alignment with the American axis, stirring public dissatisfaction.
Two Jordanian politicians, also speaking anonymously, highlighted the potential risks of escalating tensions with the Muslim Brotherhood, given its widespread popular support. This delicate balance is a significant concern for King Abdullah II and the stability of the kingdom.
This report was originally published by Reuters
