Switzerland has moved to halt arms exports to the US following a decision taken by the government.
At its weekly meeting in Bern on March 20, the government announced it would no longer authorise new export licences for war materiel to the US, citing its neutrality law and the War Materiel Act, which bans exports to countries involved in active conflicts.
Bern justified the move by pointing to Washington’s involvement in the escalating confrontation with Iran, stating that such exports “cannot be authorised for the duration of the conflict”.
Since late February, when tensions sharply increased, no new licences had been granted. Existing contracts signed prior to the decision will, though, be honoured.
The decision formalises that pause and signals a stricter interpretation of neutrality at a sensitive geopolitical moment as well the defence of the mediator role that Switzerland has held for decades between the US and Iran.
The move is particularly notable given Switzerland’s recent departure from this very principle.
In December 2025, the government took the unprecedented step of allowing limited arms-related exports linked to the war in Ukraine, marking a historic shift away from its traditional refusal to supply states in conflict.
That decision was widely seen as an attempt to allow Swiss companies to participate in the broader rearmament efforts underway across Europe in response to the war in Ukraine and fears of further Russian aggression.
It also signalled a degree of flexibility in Bern’s interpretation of neutrality, suggesting that Swiss-made equipment could indirectly reach Ukraine in its defence against Russia.
This was a significant shift, given that Switzerland — while aligning with European Union sanctions against Moscow — has never officially supplied weapons to Kyiv.
For many analysts, the move indicated a reinterpretation of neutrality that brought Switzerland closer to the positions of western European countries.
The latest measure, though, points to a recalibration. By suspending exports to the US, Switzerland is reasserting a more orthodox understanding of neutrality, one closely tied to its international diplomatic role.
This is not only a legal stance but also a strategic one, aimed at preserving the country’s credibility as a mediator.
Central to this role is Switzerland’s long-standing function as a “protecting power” between the US and Iran. Since diplomatic relations were severed in 1980, Bern has represented US interests in Tehran, acting as an intermediary for official communications and providing consular services.
This channel has repeatedly proven crucial in times of crisis, allowing indirect dialogue between the two adversaries.
Maintaining trust on both sides requires strict neutrality. Any perception that Switzerland is materially supporting one party in a conflict — particularly one involving Washington and Tehran — could undermine its ability to serve as a credible intermediary.
By halting arms exports to the US, Swiss authorities are signalling their intent to safeguard this role at a time when it may once again prove essential.
