Jordan
Country Spotlight
Jordan is not known to have possessed or pursued nuclear, biological, or chemical weapons or advanced missile technology, and is a participant in relevant treaties and regional organizations. It remains a staunch U.S. ally in the Middle East.
See Jordan's performance in
Region Middle East and North Africa
140,000 Tons of uranium reserves
1998 Signed Additional Protocol with IAEA
2013 Jordanian Uranium Mining Company (JUMCO) established
Nuclear
- Started nuclear power program in 2007, considering nuclear power plants or small modular reactors; uranium exploration started in the early 1980s and continues today
- Began operating a nuclear research reactor in 2016 and a yellowcake pilot production plant in 2021 at Sewaqa with an estimated 40,000 tons
- The Jordan Research and Training Reactor (JRTR) program includes facilities for radioisotope production, neutron activity analysis, and radioactive waste treatment
- In 2024, Jordan’s National Center for Nuclear and Radiological Security was designated as an IAEA collaborating center, now one of ten worldwide focused on nuclear security
Biological
- No known biological weapons program or intentions
- Successful pharmaceutical industry which exports to neighbors in the Middle East and North Africa
Missile
- Does not possess ballistic or cruise missiles
- Purchasing U.S. Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (GMLRS)
- After a drone attack in October 2023, Jordan asked U.S. to deploy Patriot air defense missile systems in the country
Chemical
- Acceded to Geneva Protocol in 1977 and Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) in 1997
- Consistently in compliance and not believed to have a chemical weapons program
- Shares border with Syria which it has taken steps to secure