Jordan’s King Abdullah asks Rubio for a comprehensive regional ceasefire: the U.S. has a decisive role in de-escalation

King Abdullah II of Jordan held a phone call with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio about efforts to reduce tensions in the region, as Jordan’s news agency Petra writes. The call took place on Friday, at a moment when U.S.–Iran talks have stalled and the military escalation in the Middle East is deepening.

According to Petra’s reporting, the Jordanian monarch stressed the need to reach an agreement on a comprehensive ceasefire that guarantees the security and sovereignty of Arab states, underlining the “decisive role” of the United States in supporting efforts for regional stability. Jordan’s embassy in Washington confirmed on social media that the main topic of the conversation was the de-escalation of tensions.

The two interlocutors also discussed the results of the recent Aqaba Process meeting in France, where the mobilisation of international support for the Lebanese Armed Forces and the strengthening of their capacities to preserve the country’s security were sought, as Al Jazeera reports. King Abdullah also warned about the consequences of the continuing Israeli military escalation in southern Syria, reiterating that Jordan stands beside Syria in its efforts for security, stability and territorial sovereignty.

The call also touched on the further strengthening of the strategic partnership between Jordan and the United States in various fields. The king’s call comes as the Emirates’ financial markets fell for a fourth straight day under the weight of the diplomatic deadlock and reports of a new U.S. military build-up in the region — a signal that diplomatic pressure for de-escalation is growing in parallel with tensions on the ground.