Switzerland halts arms exports to US over Iran war, citing neutrality

Switzerland halts arms exports to US over Iran war, citing neutrality Submitted by MEE staff on Fri, 03/20/2026 - 15:16 Bern says new exports of military equipment to the Trump administration 'cannot currently be authorised', while existing licences remain under review European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Swiss President Guy Parmelin in Brussels on 2 March 2026 (Nicolas Tucat/AFP) Off Switzerland has moved to suspend new approvals for arms exports to the United States amid the ongoing US-Israeli war on Iran , citing its long-standing policy of neutrality and legal restrictions under domestic export controls. In a statement on Friday, the Swiss government said "exports of war materiel to the US cannot currently be authorised", pointing to Washington’s involvement in an "international armed conflict" in the Middle East. It added 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".