Switzerland suspends weapons exports to US over Iran conflict, citing neutrality

Friday 20 March 2026 - 12:40

Switzerland has announced that it will temporarily halt weapons exports to the United States due to ongoing military actions involving Iran, citing its longstanding policy of neutrality.

The Swiss government stated that licenses for exporting war materiel to countries engaged in the conflict cannot be authorized during the hostilities. This includes any shipments to the United States linked to military operations in the region.

Earlier this month, authorities rejected two U.S. requests for overflights related to Iran but allowed three others, also in line with Switzerland’s neutrality regulations. The government stressed that no new licenses for arms exports to the U.S. have been issued since the Israeli and American strikes on February 28, 2026.

Switzerland has historically maintained restrictions on the transit of weapons and military overflights when foreign conflicts are involved. After the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, Swiss law prohibited weapons exports and certain airspace use, though some restrictions were later lifted. Exports to Israel, meanwhile, have not been authorized for several years.

Officials emphasized that the policy reflects Switzerland’s commitment to neutrality, ensuring that the country does not facilitate armed conflicts directly or indirectly.