Jordan recalls ambassador from Iran, accusing Tehran of ‘interference’

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Jordan on Monday recalled its ambassador from Iran, saying it was in objection to Tehran’s meddling in the internal affairs of Gulf Arab countries.

Jordan’s official Petra news agency quoted the government spokesman as saying that Ambassador Abdullah Abu Rumman had been recalled home “for consultations” on the orders of Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh.

The spokesman, Mohammad Momani, said that “Iran's policy would result in creating crises and deepening instability in the region, calling on Tehran to work on building trust with its Arab neighbors,” Petra reported.

Jordan’s move follows a visit to Amman last week by Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman.

Following his visit, Jordan and Saudi Arabia issued a joint statement condemning Iran’s “policy of interference in the region’s internal affairs.”

Saudi Arabia and Iran are regional rivals and the tensions between them have risen in recent months. They are on opposite sides in the conflicts in Syria and Yemen, and tensions in Bahrain.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif recently accused Riyadh of trying to “drag the entire region into confrontation.” 

His Saudi counterpart, Adel Al-Jubeir, has repeatedly accused Tehran of “meddling” in the affairs of the kingdom's neighbors.