Switzerland Begins Reopening Embassy in Iran, Facilitating US-Tehran Contacts

Switzerland announces it will reopen embassy in Tehran

Switzerland announced Friday that it had begun sending staff back to Tehran and would gradually reopen its embassy. This move enables Switzerland to continue as a facilitator for diplomatic contacts between Washington and Tehran.

The country temporarily closed its embassy on March 11, days after the Middle East war erupted with the first US-Israeli attacks on Iran. The Swiss foreign ministry said four staff had returned and insisted that communication channels between the US and Iran remained open even while the mission was shut.

The decision to gradually reopen the embassy was taken after a risk analysis and in consultation with Iran and the United States, whose interests Switzerland represents under its protecting power mandate.

Switzerland is prepared to provide its good offices if the parties so wish and supports all diplomatic initiatives that contribute to de-escalation and lasting peace. The Swiss embassy in Tehran handles consular affairs between the US and Iran, including passport requests, altering civil status, and consular protection for US citizens in Iran.

A ceasefire has been in place since April 8, but prospective peace talks between senior US and Iranian envoys in Pakistan are hanging in the balance. Iran has all but closed the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation for the war, while the US has imposed a blockade of its own on Iranian ports.