Jordanian PM: We have never treated Iran as a threat to our security

Jordan has never treated Iran as threat to its national security, Jordanian Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh told BBC Arabic on Sunday, despite earlier statements by both Jordan's King Abdullah II and security officials in the country to the contrary.

The Jordanian prime minister addressed drug smuggling along Jordan's northern border with Syria, saying there is an increase in smuggling operations. Jordan is conducting discussions with Syrian authorities on the matter.

When asked how much of this smuggling activity is linked to Iran, Khasawneh told BBC Arabic that there is a smuggling network extended across the region that "contributes to the financing of those who invest in this trade."

Khasawneh stressed that Russian forces had been providing security in southern Syria through a number of agreements, and theorized that a recent change in priorities due to the invasion of Ukraine had led to a smaller presence of Russian forces in the area, leading to an increase in smuggling operations.

BBC Arabic’s Murad Shishani proceeded to ask Khasawneh if Jordan treats Iran as a national security threat, with the prime minister responding "For our part, we have never dealt with Iran as a threat to our national security." READ MORE