Jordan says US embassy move would have ‘catastrophic’ consequences

Jordan’s government spokesman is warning of “catastrophic” repercussions if US President-elect Donald Trump makes good on a campaign promise to move the US Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.

Such a move could affect relations between the US and regional allies, including Jordan, Information Minister Mohammed Momani tells The Associated Press, addressing the issue publicly for the first time.

An embassy move would be a “red line” for Jordan, would “inflame the Islamic and Arab streets” and serve as a “gift to extremists,” he says, adding that Jordan would use all possible political and diplomatic means to try and prevent such a decision.

Momani says that moving the US Embassy to Jerusalem “will have catastrophic implications on several levels, including the regional situation.”

He says countries in the region would likely “think about different things and steps they should take in order to stop this from happening.”

“It will definitely affect the bilateral relationship between countries in the region, including Jordan, and the parties that will be related to such a decision,” he says.

— AP