Yousef Abdelghani stated that discussions about redrawing the political map of the Middle East are unrealistic and should not be entertained, stressing that the sovereignty of every country in the region must be respected. He made the remarks while speaking at the India Today Conclave.
Responding to questions about proposals to reshape the Middle East following the ongoing conflict, the ambassador dismissed such suggestions as “nonsense.” His remarks came in the context of statements made by Donald Trump, who recently suggested that the territorial map of Iran might change after the war. Abdelghani emphasised that countries in the region must maintain respect for each other’s territorial integrity rather than pursue expansionist ambitions.
He reiterated that the sovereignty of Arab nations must remain inviolable, citing countries such as Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt as examples whose independence and territorial rights should be protected and respected.
Addressing calls for regime change in parts of the Middle East, the envoy warned that such approaches frequently lead to instability rather than solutions. He argued that past experiences in the region have shown that attempts to forcibly alter political systems often result in greater chaos and prolonged conflict.
Abdelghani also highlighted the long history of coexistence among different communities in the region, noting that Jewish communities had lived peacefully in Arab societies for centuries. According to him, narratives that promote division or encourage political upheaval risk distorting that history and undermining regional stability.
The ambassador emphasised that conflicts in the region can only be resolved through diplomatic engagement and peaceful negotiations. He cautioned that continued warfare not only causes human suffering but also disrupts global supply chains, energy security and social connections between societies.
Commenting on reports of an attack on a school in Iran that allegedly resulted in the deaths of children, he criticised actions by countries that believe they can operate beyond international law. At the same time, he also condemned Iran’s use of airspace for launching attacks against Israel and Gulf states, noting that Jordan had already urged Tehran not to pursue such actions.
Abdelghani concluded by reiterating that Jordan maintains a neutral position in the conflict and continues to advocate diplomatic dialogue as the only viable path to stability in the Middle East.
