AGP Executive Report

Aviation Surge: CARC data show aircraft transiting Jordanian airspace jumped 80.3% in the first eight months of 2026, with 116,051 crossings versus 64,372 last year, as route and navigation procedures were redesigned. Jerusalem Diplomacy: Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi chaired an Arab League ministerial push calling for “restrictive and deterrent” measures to stop Israeli attacks on holy sites, welcoming a Qatari plan for a media platform to document violations. Gaza Aid: Jordan’s Red Crescent sent a new humanitarian convoy to Gaza via Egyptian crossings, as Jordan renews support for Palestinians. Injured Evacuations: JAF evacuated 10 injured Jordanians from Egypt for specialised treatment, while royal directives also saw follow-up visits to Nuweiba crash victims. Security: The Eastern Military Zone foiled drug smuggling attempts using guided balloons, intercepting and seizing the narcotics. Digital Finance: Jordan Ahli Bank launched a certified remote digital signature service, enabling customers to sign loan agreements electronically via its app. Weather: Temperatures stay slightly above seasonal averages through Wednesday before easing Thursday.

Regional Diplomacy: Prime Minister Jafar Hassan met Oman’s Shura Council chairman Sheikh Khalid bin Hilal Al Maawali to discuss boosting cooperation, parliamentary ties, and ending regional escalation while supporting Palestinians. Humanitarian Response: Jordan’s Red Crescent sent a Gaza aid convoy via Egyptian crossings, with a second convoy also dispatched; Jordanian officials continue coordinating to get supplies through. Judiciary & Governance: King Abdullah received annual reports from the Judicial Council and Sharia Courts for 2025, urging faster modernization and highlighting case resolution and e-services. Digital Services & Finance: Jordan Ahli Bank launched Jordan’s first certified remote digital signature service, enabling customers to sign loan agreements electronically through the bank’s app. Royal Directives (Health): Royal Court officials visited Nuweiba crash victims after their transfer to Jordan for treatment; meanwhile, the Air Force evacuated 11 injured Jordanians from Egypt. Security: Army units foiled a drug-smuggling attempt using guided balloons, seizing the cargo inside Jordan. Economy & Trade: Exports rose 6.2% to JD4.66bn in the first half; Amman’s stock market saw ASE turnover of JD13.6m. Public Services: Transport and Labor ministries extended working hours at labor directorates to help non-Jordanians complete regularization procedures.

Medical Evacuation: Under royal directives, Jordan’s Air Force evacuated 11 Jordanians injured in an Egypt bus crash, transferring them to King Hussein Medical City for further treatment. Weather Watch: Jordan Meteorological Department says moderate conditions continue through Thursday, with hot weather in the Badia, Jordan Valley, Dead Sea and Aqaba. Foreign Affairs: Ayman Safadi met Egypt’s Badr Abdelatty to coordinate ahead of the Arab League Council session in Cairo and to push action against illegal Israeli measures in occupied Jerusalem. Regional Energy: The Cabinet approved supplying Lebanon with natural gas via Aqaba, regasifying it in Jordan and transporting it through Syria for power generation. Trade & Economy: Amman Chamber data shows exports certified to Iraq hit JD585.2m in the first eight months of 2026, while overall exports covered by certificates rose to JD1.031bn. Public Services: The World Bank approved a $3.5m grant to prepare Jordan’s digital transformation of public schools. Security & Diplomacy: Jordan and several Arab and Islamic states condemned Israeli plans to displace Palestinians from Gaza. Science: Jordanian astronomers observed a newly discovered supernova, SN 2026aaiv, about 40 million light-years away.

Human Rights Oversight: Prime Minister Jafar Hassan received Jordan’s 22nd annual National Centre for Human Rights report for 2025, with Parliament set to review its recommendations. Energy & Regional Trade: Cabinet approved supplying Lebanon with natural gas via Aqaba using a floating unit, with transport through Syria, while PM Hassan also pushed supply-chain resilience measures for Aqaba ports and border crossings. Digital & Payments: Valu officially launched its first phase in Jordan for flexible digital payments and BNPL after receiving its final Central Bank license. AI Collaboration: Jordan and Saudi Arabia’s HUMAIN signed an MoU to advance Arabic AI models and support startups, talent, and public-sector AI use. Economy & Exports: Amman Chamber said exports certified for Iraq hit about $585M in the first eight months of 2026, with Iraq leading destinations. Public Services & Safety: The “Aman” system has tracked over 14,500 domestic violence cases, and Civil Status/Passports extended Saturday hours at select offices. Water Crackdown: The Water Ministry dismantled multiple illegal pipelines and wells across governorates. Security & Diplomacy: Jordan and other Arab states condemned Israeli plans to displace Palestinians from Gaza, while Israel’s chief warned of a tense, volatile multi-front period. Science & Culture: Jordanian astronomers observed a newly discovered supernova from local skies, and PM visited eastern tourism and environmental sites including the “Blessed Tree” and Azraq revitalization project.

Digital Education Push: The World Bank approved a $3.5 million grant to prepare Jordan’s public schools for digital transformation, including readiness checks across about 3,500 schools and pilots for devices and connectivity. Civil Services Update: The Civil Status and Passports Department is extending Saturday hours at six Amman offices, and the Digital Economy ministry has launched an electronic passport application service at several government centers (9 a.m. to midnight). Foreign Policy & Regional Tensions: Jordan’s ties with the US remain under strain as Iran and the US trade strikes across the region; Iranian FM Abbas Araghchi challenged Jordan’s criticism of Tehran’s retaliatory actions. Tourism & Local Economy: Prime Minister Jafar Hassan visited the “Blessed Tree” site and Azraq Wetland Reserve revitalisation project, launching a broader eastern Jordan development plan to boost tourism. Trade Numbers: Amman Chamber of Commerce reports export certificates of origin worth JD1.031 billion in Jan–Aug, up 20.7% year-on-year. Weather: Moderate conditions continue through Wednesday, with hotter weather in the Badia, Jordan Valley, Dead Sea and Aqaba.

Jordan-US ties under strain: Jordan is facing repeated Iranian drone and missile attacks tied to its military cooperation with Washington, while officials keep a careful public silence as regional tensions rise. Diplomacy in focus: Deputy PM and FM Ayman Safadi held talks in Paris and urged stronger European action to protect regional stability, including support for a Gaza ceasefire. Civil services upgrade: Jordan launched an electronic passport application service at several government centers, and extended Saturday hours at six civil status and passports offices to meet demand. Border trade pressure: The customs chief made an unannounced visit to the Jaber border to address a shipping crisis and push faster, practical solutions for cargo movement. Tourism push in the east: The prime minister visited the “Blessed Tree” site and Azraq Wetland Reserve project, ordering a broader development plan for eastern tourist, ecological and historical locations. Economy & trade: Amman Chamber exports covered by certificates of origin hit JD1.031bn in the first eight months, up 20.7%. Local culture: Umm Qais saw 71,289 visitors in seven months, down 13.3% year-on-year. Sports: Iraq beat Qatar 3-0 in the West Asian Women’s Volleyball Championship in Amman, setting up a final-round match against Jordan.

Iran–Jordan Tensions: Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi hit back at Jordan’s Ayman Safadi, questioning how long Tehran should wait to respond after attacks that used Arab airspace and territory, as Jordan insists it is not a party to the war. Air Defence Update: Jordan reported intercepting Iranian missiles over northern areas, with earlier claims that 10 of 13 ballistic missiles entering Jordanian airspace were stopped. US Alliance Under Strain: Multiple reports say Jordan’s hosting of US forces is making its bases a repeated target, even as Amman signals it will keep the security partnership. Regional Diplomacy: Jordan and Austria discussed Syria de-escalation and condemned Iranian attacks, while also stressing support for Lebanon’s sovereignty and Gaza aid. Local Impact: Umm Qais saw visitor numbers fall by 11,000 in seven months, down 13.3% year-on-year in the first half of 2026. Weather: Moderate conditions are expected across most regions, with hotter weather in the Badia, Jordan Valley, Dead Sea and Aqaba through Tuesday.

Jordan-US Tensions: A senior US official said Washington has no information that missiles were launched toward US bases in Jordan, after an Israeli report made the claim, as Jordan previously said it intercepted most Iranian ballistic missiles entering its airspace. Diplomacy & Fallout: Iran’s FM Abbas Araghchi hit back at Jordan’s Ayman Safadi over how Tehran’s response is framed, arguing Arab airspace was used in earlier US attacks and questioning how long Iran should wait. Regional Security: Jordan and Austria discussed Syria de-escalation and support for Lebanon’s stability, with both sides condemning Iranian attacks. Tragedy in Egypt: Jordanian Foreign Ministry said nine Jordanian bodies from the Egypt Nuweiba-Dahab bus crash have arrived in Jordan, while coordination continues to transfer injured. Local Governance: The government launched “Farah,” a digital spokesperson service, with an English-language version planned for international media and investment-related content.

US-Jordan Alliance Under Strain: Jordan says its US ties come with a price as Iranian missile and drone attacks repeatedly target bases hosting American forces, with Jordan intercepting missiles and reporting no injuries in the latest incidents. Regional Security & Diplomacy: Jordan’s King appointed a new military chief, while Jordan’s FM met the IAEA director general and Jordan’s leaders continued calls with Bahrain and Austria to manage escalation and regional stability. Nuweiba Bus Tragedy: Prime Minister Jafar Hassan ordered the repatriation of victims and transfer of the injured to Jordan after a deadly bus crash in Egypt’s Sinai, with Jordanian casualties confirmed. Health Services Upgrade: The Health Ministry completed EU-funded rehabilitation of 16 primary healthcare centers and moved eight specialized clinics to the renovated Prince Hamzah Hospital site to cut outpatient congestion. Local Governance: Greater Amman Municipality announced a short road closure and traffic diversions for a new pedestrian bridge on Jordan Street. Public Info Tech: Government Communication launched “Farah,” a digital spokesperson service to explain decisions and policies. Education: Online applications for foreign scholarships open Sept. 5.

Regional Security: King Abdullah spoke by phone with Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa, urging an end to dangerous escalation and boosting Jordan-Bahrain coordination. Military Leadership: The King appointed Maj. Gen. Majdi Al Harasis as new chief of staff, replacing Maj. Gen. Yousef Al Huneiti, as Jordan continues intercepting Iranian missiles. Health Services: The Health Ministry finished rehabilitating 16 EU-funded health centers and also moved eight specialized clinics to the renovated former emergency department at Prince Hamzah Hospital to cut outpatient congestion. Road Safety: PM Jaafar Hassan ordered the transfer of victims and injured from Egypt’s Nuweiba bus crash to Jordan and sent condolences to Egypt. Foreign Policy/IAEA: Ayman Safadi met IAEA chief Rafael Grossi in Vienna. Local Life & Transport: Greater Amman Municipality announced a one-day lane closure and traffic diversions for a steel pedestrian bridge near Al-Sarh Schools. Women Workers: Govt signed agreements with 22 law firms in 13 countries to provide legal help for Bangladeshi women migrant workers. Economy & Energy: Oil prices rose as Kuwait said it is fending off Iranian attacks amid the “tanker for tanker” escalation. Culture & Arts: Ghazi Anaim won the presidency of the Jordanian Fine Artists Association. Education: Foreign scholarship applications for 2026-2027 open Sept. 5.

Jordan–China Aviation Deal: Royal Jordanian and Air China signed an MoU in Beijing to explore a direct Amman–Beijing route, plus codesharing/interline, cargo, ground services and training. Middle East Tensions: Jordan condemned Iran’s attack on a Saudi tanker in the Strait of Hormuz and also condemned Iranian strikes on Bahrain and Kuwait, calling them violations of international law. Strait of Hormuz Flashpoint: The U.S. launched strikes on Iranian tankers under a “tanker for tanker” policy, while Iran and the U.S. traded missile-and-drone accusations across the region. Local Security & Airspace: Jordan said it intercepted 10 of 13 Iranian ballistic missiles entering its airspace, with the rest reported falling in remote areas. Tragedy in Egypt: A bus crash on Egypt’s Dahab–Nuweiba road in South Sinai killed at least 22 people (including Jordanians) and injured 28; Jordan’s Foreign Ministry and embassy teams are handling repatriation and support. Health Services Update: Eight specialized clinics moved to the renovated former emergency site at Prince Hamza Hospital, with CT, lab and pharmacy windows to reduce outpatient congestion. Weather: Temperatures are set to gradually decline across Jordan through Sunday.

Digital Heritage & Design: ASU and the University of Leeds documented a new project on reusing Jordan’s historic architecture in modern products, using fieldwork and 3D modelling to turn elements like ornamental windows and iron grilles into contemporary designs. Tragedy on Egypt’s Red Sea Road: A bus crash on the Dahab–Nuweiba highway in Egypt’s South Sinai killed at least 22 people, including 10 Jordanians, and left 28 injured; Jordan’s Foreign Ministry says embassy teams are coordinating repatriation and care. Regional Diplomacy: Jordan’s FM Ayman Safadi held talks with Türkiye and Qatar’s counterparts on Gaza and wider regional developments, while also coordinating with Egypt on the victims. Jordan’s Military Leadership: King Abdullah issued royal decrees appointing Maj. Gen. Majdi Al-Harasis as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, with promotions and the retirement of Lt. Gen. Yousef Huneiti. Air Safety & Disruption: Jordan said it intercepted 10 of 13 Iranian ballistic missiles entering its airspace, while CARC reported air traffic is operating normally with only limited cancellations. Women’s Participation: UN Women met Jordan’s Senate leadership to discuss expanding women’s participation, linking reforms to measurable outcomes.

Middle East Escalation: Iran launched retaliatory strikes after fresh U.S. attacks, firing ballistic missiles and drones across the region. Jordan Air Defence: Jordan intercepted 10 of 13 ballistic missiles entering its airspace; three fell in remote areas with no reported injuries, and officials urged the public to avoid debris and rely on official updates. Aqaba Under Pressure: Reports said Iran targeted U.S.-linked facilities near Aqaba, as sirens and “potential threat” warnings were issued in parts of the kingdom. Human Cost Claims: Iran and the U.S. traded accusations over a deadly wedding strike in southern Iran, with Iran alleging civilian deaths and injuries while the U.S. denied targeting civilians. Oil and Markets: Oil prices rose on renewed Strait of Hormuz disruption fears, while Bitcoin and broader markets swung on the renewed conflict. Local Life: Jordan also saw hot weather warnings for Wednesday, as the region’s tensions kept travel and daily routines on edge. Culture & Tourism: Separately, Wingie highlighted autumn “micro-cations” that include Amman, as regional travel planning shifts with the season.

Jordan Jobs Boost: Jordan recorded a record 87,617 net jobs for citizens in 2025, with Jordanians filling about 91% of new positions, led by ages 20–29 and the private sector. Crown Prince in Irbid: HRH Crown Prince Hussein met sector leaders in Irbid on investment, tourism, agriculture, technology and sport, stressing stability and youth empowerment. US-Iran Escalation Near Jordan: The US said it carried out “large and powerful” strikes on Iranian targets near the Strait of Hormuz after missiles were launched toward a US base in Jordan; Jordan says eight missiles were intercepted. Travel Warnings: US embassies in Jordan, Qatar and Israel issued fresh security alerts, warning of possible airspace closures and flight disruptions. Census Countdown: Jordan’s 2026 Population and Housing Census starts Oct. 1 with self-enumeration via Sanad, followed by field work through Oct. 31. Water Carrier Deal: Welspun and Perma-Pipe plan a JV to build pipe manufacturing and coating facilities for the National Water Carrier Project. Local Economy & Energy: Jordan froze domestic fuel prices for September despite global rises. Sports & Culture: Fuheis Festival’s 33rd edition drew crowds for heritage and arts, while Qatar won the Asian U19 handball title in Amman.

U.S.-Iran Escalation and Jordan Air Defences: Jordan says it intercepted eight Iranian missiles after Iran retaliated for a U.S. strike on Larak Island, targeting U.S.-linked bases including King Hussein Air Base and Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Al-Azraq, as the region braces for further exchanges. Regional Condemnations: The Arab League and Gulf partners, including Bahrain and the UAE, condemned the Iranian attacks on Jordan and the UAE, stressing sovereignty and calling for urgent international action. Strait of Hormuz Pressure: The Larak-Kharg flare-up is again rattling shipping and oil markets, with Brent pushing above $90 amid renewed fears for global energy flows. Diplomacy: Jordan’s FM Ayman Safadi spoke by phone with Bahrain’s counterpart Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, agreeing to deepen ties and restore calm. Sports (Amman): Qatar won the Asian U19 men’s handball title in Amman, beating Bahrain 28-24, while Jordan also hosted the Arab men’s volleyball championship announcement for October. Local Life: Jordan’s weather outlook points to a midweek temperature peak before gradual easing.

U.S.-Iran Escalation: The latest round of strikes has reignited the Strait of Hormuz standoff, with the U.S. hitting Iranian launchers on Larak Island and Iran retaliating by targeting U.S. bases in Jordan and the UAE. Jordan Air Defence: Jordan says eight missiles entered its airspace early Monday and were intercepted and destroyed before they could threaten civilians or property. Regional Condemnations: Arab League and Gulf states condemned the attacks as violations of sovereignty, with the UAE also warning it may retaliate after a drone incident. Diplomatic Fallout: Iran’s foreign minister urged SCO members to adopt unified positions amid the war, as tensions ripple across the region. Local Watch: Jordan’s unemployment rate fell to 16.1% in Q2 2026, while S&P affirmed the kingdom’s BB- rating with a stable outlook. Transport Update: Greater Amman Municipality unveiled the Mahatta Transport Complex, linking Amman-Zarqa BRT with internal routes and Raghadan Station.