15.03.2026 08:32
While the war between the US-Israel and Iran continues, a decision has come from Switzerland that will infuriate US President Donald Trump. The Swiss Federal Council rejected the US's request for two reconnaissance flights related to the conflicts in Iran, citing the "neutrality law," while stating that humanitarian and non-conflict-related flights are permitted.
The Swiss Federal Council announced that it rejected the two reconnaissance flight requests from the United States regarding the attacks in Iran in accordance with the "neutrality law."
WRITTEN STATEMENT FROM THE COUNCIL
The Swiss Federal Council made a written statement regarding the issue. The statement mentioned that the Federal Council made decisions about various flight requests for U.S. military aircraft, stating, "While two requests related to the war in Iran from the U.S. were rejected, one maintenance flight and two requests for transport aircraft were approved."
"NEUTRALITY LAW IS BEING APPLIED"
The statement noted that since February 28, when the U.S. and Israel began targeting Iran, there have been violent conflicts in the Middle East, indicating that the "neutrality law" is being applied concerning the ongoing relations between the U.S., Israel, and Iran.
In this context, the statement mentioned that various flight permission requests for U.S. military and state aircraft have been received, and that the Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA) reviews such requests in consultation with the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, the Federal Department of Defense, Civil Protection and Sports, and the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research based on the Air Sovereignty Protection Regulation.
"MILITARY FLIGHTS ARE PROHIBITED"
The statement said, "The Federal Council makes decisions in politically significant situations while maintaining its neutrality. The neutrality law prohibits military flights related to the conflict by countries involved in the conflict. Humanitarian and medical passages, including the transportation of the injured, as well as flights unrelated to the conflict, are permitted."
The statement noted that the Federal Council rejected two flight permission requests for two reconnaissance aircraft made on March 15, stating, "Flight approval was granted after the maintenance work scheduled for March 17 was completed. For March 15, two flight requests to be made by transport aircraft were approved."
The statement emphasized that the Federal Council has established the following criteria for future applications, stating, "Future requests that are clearly unrelated to the conflict will be approved. However, such flight requests will be rejected if they exceed normal operations and the purpose of these flights cannot be determined. Requests for humanitarian and medical flights, including the transportation of the injured, will be approved."
The statement highlighted that the U.S. continues its annual permit application for clearly defined state aircraft, noting that state flights that would constitute military support in the conflict between the U.S., Israel, and Iran are excluded from this scope. The statement concluded, "Aircraft not included in this list require individual permission from the Swiss Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA)."