The Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs announced that operations at its Tehran embassy would gradually resume. The mission had been closed since June 20, shortly after Israel and Iran engaged in a brief but intense round of military hostilities.

Switzerland plays a unique diplomatic role in Iran, representing US interests in the absence of formal diplomatic ties between Washington and Tehran.

Espionage Threats Highlighted

Just days before the reopening, Switzerland’s Federal Intelligence Service (FIS) released a report naming Iran as one of several countries—alongside Russia, China, and North Korea—engaging in intensified intelligence activities against Swiss interests.

A recent broadcast by Swiss networks SRF and RTS further raised concerns, featuring allegations from a former Iranian Revolutionary Guard officer who claimed a Swiss diplomat died under suspicious circumstances in Tehran in 2021. Iranian authorities ruled the death a suicide, but full investigative files have not been shared with Swiss officials.

Political Reactions In Bern

Swiss lawmakers have voiced unease over the embassy-related incidents and proposed discussing the matter at the next foreign affairs committee session. Green Party legislator Balthasar Glättli called for an international investigation into the diplomat’s death and warned against continued obstruction from Iranian authorities.

Despite these tensions, Switzerland’s decision to resume embassy functions reflects its long-standing commitment to facilitating international dialogue, especially in volatile regions.