The relationship between under the Pahlavi dynasty—primarily Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi—and Jordan under King Hussein was marked by political cooperation, shared strategic interests, and personal rapport between the two monarchs. Both leaders ruled pro-Western, moderate regimes in a turbulent Middle East shaped by Arab nationalism, Cold War rivalries, and regional conflicts. During the 1950s–1970s and Jordan maintained close diplomatic and security ties. The Shah viewed King Hussein as a stabilizing influence in the Arab world and supported him during periods of internal and external pressure, particularly during the rise of Nasserist pan-Arabism, which threatened both monarchies.
Provided economic aid, military assistance, and political backing to Jordan at several critical moments, including the aftermath of the 1967 Arab-Israeli War and the 1970 Black September conflict, when Hussein confronted PLO forces within Jordan. Both countries cooperated within broader regional frameworks. Their intelligence services exchanged information, and they often aligned with Saudi Arabia in countering revolutionary movements and Soviet influence. While ties with Israel were kept discreet, King Hussein’s pragmatic approach allowed the two states to coordinate indirectly on matters of regional security.
