Mattis wanted “to gain understanding and appreciation of key issues such as military-to-military relationship, security challenges and regional developments,” the statement said.

The Jordanian army headquarters said that Mattis, who was paying his first visit to the country, met with head of the Jordanian chiefs of staff, Gen. Mishaal Al-Zaben, and other senior commanders to discuss “bilateral ties and spheres of cooperation between the two friendly arms as well as issues of mutual interest.”