War in the Middle East: Switzerland reopens its embassy in Iran gradually

The Swiss embassy in Tehran was temporarily closed on March 11 due to the war in the Middle East.

Switzerland announced on Friday the “progressive” reopening of its embassy in Iran, emphasizing that the communication channel it has maintained for decades between Washington and Tehran remained “open” during the closure of its representation. The embassy had been temporarily closed on March 11 due to the war in the Middle East.

“Since this week, a small team from the Swiss embassy is back in Tehran,” the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement. This technical team, consisting of four Swiss collaborators, is responsible for preparing the gradual resumption of embassy activities.

Bern specified that “the decision to gradually reopen the embassy was made after analyzing the risks and in agreement with Iran as well as with the United States, whose interests in Iran are represented by Switzerland as the protecting power.”

Renowned for its neutrality, Switzerland represents American interests in Iran since Washington severed ties with Tehran following the 1980 hostage crisis, a year after the Iranian revolution. Thus, the foreign interests section of the Swiss embassy provides consular services to American citizens living or traveling in Iran.

“With the return of a team to Tehran, Switzerland can once again directly represent American interests in Iran as the protecting power,” it emphasized. Switzerland also serves as a “communication channel” between the two countries. This channel “remained open during the temporary closure of the representation,” according to the statement.