Unprecedented Visit of Jordan's Foreign Minister to Tehran Aimed at Reducing Tensions; The Region Must Live in 'Peace, Security, and Stability'

Jordan's Foreign Minister, Ayman Safadi, made an unprecedented visit to Iran on Sunday, August 5, calling for an end to the escalation of violence in the Middle East and stating that the region must be able to live in 'peace, security, and stability.' Safadi's visit follows ongoing diplomatic contacts by the United States and its partners, including France, the UK, Italy, and Egypt, to prevent further regional tensions after the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the Hamas leader, in Tehran. Meanwhile, the American newspaper Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday, citing 'informed sources,' that the Iranian government is not concerned about the outbreak of war in the region. The newspaper reported that on Saturday, the Iranian government told some Arab diplomats that it does not care if its response to the deadly attack on Ismail Haniyeh leads to regional war. According to Reuters, Iranian state television reported that Masoud Pezeshkian, the Islamic Republic's president, described Haniyeh's killing as a 'big mistake' by Israel that 'will not go unanswered.' Pezeshkian had previously promised improved relations with countries and a better economic future for Iran. The Islamic Republic, by supporting groups like Hamas, which are listed as terrorist organizations by various countries, has earned the title of 'the world's largest state sponsor of terrorism' from the United States. Safadi's rare visit to Iran comes as Jordan played a significant role in intercepting projectiles fired from Iran, contributing to the failure of the Islamic Republic's extensive missile attack on Israel in April. In that attack, in retaliation for the killing of several IRGC commanders in Damascus, around 300 missiles and drones were fired at Israel, with only a few hitting the country and causing minimal damage. Jordan also accuses pro-Iranian militants in Syria of smuggling drugs into Jordan. According to Reuters, the Jordanian Foreign Minister condemned the killing of Ismail Haniyeh last Wednesday in Tehran, stating that Jordan has always been active in defending the Palestinian cause and the rights of the Palestinian people, condemning 'the occupation of Palestinian lands by Israel and rejecting all actions that escalate tensions, which hinder achieving security, stability, and a just peace.' Both Hamas and the Islamic Republic of Iran have accused Israel of killing Haniyeh and have vowed to retaliate. Israel has neither confirmed nor denied responsibility for the assassination. Previously, Israel had identified Ismail Haniyeh as one of the perpetrators of Hamas's October 7 attack on southern Israel, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths, and had promised to kill him. Haniyeh had been residing in Qatar and came to Tehran for Pezeshkian's presidential inauguration, having met with him and Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic, just hours before his death. The Islamic Republic is accused of providing millions of dollars in financial and military support to Hamas. The IRGC claims Haniyeh was killed with a short-range projectile that had a 7-kilogram warhead. He was in a multi-story IRGC building in northern Tehran, and one of his bodyguards was also killed. No reports have emerged of any other casualties from that attack. In recent years, several prominent figures, including Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, a nuclear program official, and several IRGC personnel involved in the Islamic Republic's nuclear program, have been killed in various ways, with government officials blaming Israel. The Islamic Republic has repeatedly claimed to have dismantled 'Israeli spy networks' within Iran. Opponents say that Iranian officials arrest innocent individuals and extract forced confessions from them. The G7 has called for 'all parties' to refrain from provocative actions in the Middle East. The Wall Street Journal, citing 'informed sources,' reported that the Iranian government is not concerned about the outbreak of war in the region. The Israeli Defense Minister stated, 'We will impose a heavy price on our enemies.' The White House stated that it will defend Israel against potential threats. A deadly knife attack by a Palestinian in Tel Aviv resulted in 18 deaths in Israeli military attacks on Gaza. Sky News, citing Western intelligence sources, reported that the Islamic Republic and Hezbollah plan to attack Israel next Monday and Tuesday.