Switzerland has halted all new weapons export licences to the United States for the duration of the conflict with Iran, invoking its longstanding policy of neutrality.
The government announced the measure on Friday, stating that “the export of war materiel to countries involved in the international armed conflict with Iran cannot be authorised for the duration of the conflict.” It added: “Exports of war materiel to the USA cannot currently be authorised.”
The decision also includes the closure of Swiss airspace to US military flights directly linked to the Iran war. Last weekend, Bern rejected two such flyover requests but approved three others.
Existing US export licences will now undergo regular review by an expert group to determine whether further restrictions are needed under neutrality law. Switzerland has not issued definitive licences for arms exports to Israel for several years.
The United States was the second-largest importer of Swiss arms last year, with sales worth $119 million.
The move echoes previous Swiss restrictions during the 2003 Iraq war and the Ukraine conflict, where it blocked the re-export of Swiss-made equipment. No new licences have been granted to the US since the Iran war began on February 28.