GENEVA – Switzerland announced Wednesday the temporary closure of its Tehran embassy due to soaring security threats from the Middle East war, while pledging to sustain a vital communication lifeline between the United States and Iran.
Neutral Switzerland has long mediated bare-minimum ties between the foes since Washington severed relations with Tehran post-1979 revolution and 1980 hostage crisis. Ambassador Olivier Bangerter and five staff exited Iran overland earlier March 11, with Bern’s Foreign Ministry vowing a return when feasible.
The protecting power mandate endures regardless of location, handling U.S. consular needs in Iran like passports, civil records and citizen protection, either proactively or at either side’s request, with mutual consent. “Switzerland remains ready to relay any communications deemed useful by the parties,” the ministry affirmed, after notifying both capitals.
Recent U.S.-Oman-brokered indirect nuclear talks occurred in Geneva on February 26, just before U.S.-Israeli strikes ignited the now-raging conflict, marked by Iranian counterstrikes across the Gulf. Switzerland has urged de-escalation and diplomatic revival.