Switzerland Suspends Arms Exports to the USA Due to War with Iran

On Friday, Switzerland announced that it would not issue licenses to companies for the export of arms to the United States and “countries involved in the conflict with Iran,” in accordance with its policy of neutrality.

The government announced this decision in a press release.

In addition to banning new exports, the government noted that existing licenses will now be regularly reviewed by an interagency group of experts to ensure they comply with the principle of neutrality.

“Exports of military materials to the US cannot currently be authorized. Since the US is involved in an international armed conflict, grounds for refusal apply in accordance with Article 22a, Paragraph 2, Letter a of the Military Materials Act. Since the escalation of the conflict on February 28, no new licenses for the export of military materials to the United States have been issued. Final licenses for the export of military materials to Israel have not been granted for several years. The same applies to Iran,” the government explained.

Exports of dual-use goods and certain military goods subject to the Goods Control Act, as well as non-controlled goods that are nevertheless subject to sanctions against Iran, will also be regularly reviewed by a group of experts from now on.

According to Reuters, the Swiss government has already rejected two US requests for overflight permission in connection with operations against Iran, while approving three others, also citing neutrality laws.

Following the US invasion of Iraq in 2003, Switzerland had already imposed restrictions on flights over its airspace and the export of arms to countries involved in the conflict. These restrictions were later lifted.

Swiss legislation imposes strict conditions, including a ban on the re-export and sale of arms to states engaged in war.

However, despite these restrictions, Swiss companies use various workarounds that allow them to maintain profitability while giving the recipient countries significantly greater freedom in the use of the purchased equipment.

Read more in our special report “Does neutrality really prevent Switzerland from trading in arms?”.