The Jordanian government did not wait long before opening channels of communication with Iraq's new Prime Minister, Ali Al-Zaidi.
An economic-focused ministerial delegation visited Baghdad last week carrying the key files of bilateral relations, which Al-Zaidi described as "strategic."
اضافة اعلان
The visit also included an invitation from Jordanian Prime Minister Jaafar Hassan for his Iraqi counterpart to visit Amman.
Jordan's political and diplomatic response to changes in its regional environment is typically swift, driven by the goal of safeguarding Jordanian interests and establishing them as the foundation of its relations with neighboring countries.
This approach was evident in Jordan's relations with Damascus following the Assad era, as well as in its previous dealings with Iraq.
During the tenure of former Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al-Sudani, Amman sought to launch a more advanced phase of cooperation between the two countries within the framework of the trilateral partnership with Egypt, which had been established during the government of Mustafa Al-Kadhimi.
Amman was Al-Sudani's first foreign destination, raising expectations that his administration would elevate bilateral relations to a new level.
However, cooperation plans did not progress as intended, and several economic projects that could have benefited both countries were stalled.
Political considerations, unfortunately, once again played a decisive role.
Today, several new factors suggest there is an opportunity to revive vital joint projects, including the Basra-Aqaba oil pipeline, the border economic free zone, and efforts to expand trade and economic relations so that the partnership can truly become strategic, as Al-Zaidi envisions.
The first of these factors is the war involving Iran and the economic repercussions it generated, which disrupted the foundations of maritime and air transport sectors.
This has forced countries in the region to seek alternatives to the Strait of Hormuz, which has increasingly become a bargaining tool for Tehran in its dealings with the United States and Gulf countries.
Iraq found itself in a particularly difficult position during the recent 40-day conflict due to interruptions in oil exports, disruptions in commercial supply chains, and restrictions on air transport.
Faced with such unforeseen circumstances, Baghdad recognized the need for alternative routes, including the Port of Aqaba, which effectively became a key gateway for Iraqi imports from international markets.
These developments have brought the Basra-Aqaba pipeline project back into focus this time driven by Iraq itself. Notably, the political voices in Iraq that once openly opposed the project and broader cooperation with Arab countries have largely fallen silent.
The second factor is the personality of Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi. Unlike many of his predecessors, he does not come from a partisan background, nor is he driven by ideological interests or traditional political loyalties that have long shaped Iraqi governments.
Al-Zaidi, a young leader from the business community, enjoys significant economic influence and maintains strong ties with Washington, which strongly supported his nomination and viewed him as an opportunity for Iraq to emerge from the state of instability that became particularly evident during the recent conflict.
Al-Zaidi has demonstrated exceptional leadership charisma even before completing the formation of his government.
His anti-corruption campaign, which has targeted prominent figures within parliament and political parties, sent a powerful message domestically and internationally.
He followed this with firm statements outlining his vision for the future of the Iraqi state in a post-militia era governed by the rule of law.
Al-Zaidi appears focused on Iraq's direct national interests, a philosophy that aligns closely with the Jordanian government's approach of pursuing economic relations that serve the interests of both peoples.
A business-minded leader like Al-Zaidi could become a valuable partner for Iraq's Arab neighbors and for Iraq itself. It appears that Jordan's leadership, at all levels, has recognized this opportunity and is determined not to miss it.
Soon, we are likely to see Al-Zaidi in Amman, marking the beginning of a new chapter in Jordan-Iraq relations.
