After more than two centuries of neutrality, Switzerland has suspended all new war material exports to the US, its second-largest arms customer, citing neutrality laws
After more than two centuries of steadfast neutrality, one of the world’s most famously impartial nations has taken an unprecedented step in this new era of war. Switzerland, which has been officially neutral for 211 years, has taken the decision to halt all new exports of war materials to the United States in response to the ongoing conflict in Iran.
Switzerland’s Federal Council delivered the bombshell news on Friday (20 March), citing the country’s strict neutrality laws as it suspended all new applications for war material exports.
While some interpret the move as “taking a side”, the escalation of the conflict since February 28 prompted the halt to ensure Switzerland remains fully compliant with its neutrality obligations.
As a result, no new permits for weapons sales have been authorised since that date. Moreover, the Federal Council clarified that current authorisations remain valid, as the goods concerned are not presently intended for military purposes.
However, these authorisations, as well as exports of other goods, will be regularly reviewed by an interdepartmental group of experts. With regard to Israel, the government reiterated that no definitive exports of war materials have been authorised to that country for several years.
This policy also applies to Iran, Swiss news outlet RTS reported. Last year, the US was Switzerland’s second-largest recipient of war material exports, following Germany, with Swiss companies exporting goods worth 94.2 million francs to the US.
On Saturday (March 14), the Federal Council also confirmed it had refused two requests for overflight by American military aircraft, citing the country’s neutrality laws.
“We demand that the Federal Council show pragmatism and restraint,” Philippe Cordonnier, the French-speaking head of the Swissmem, the primary industry body for the Swiss arms and defence sector, told RTS on Saturday. “It would be inconsistent if Swiss companies could no longer export war materials to the United States, while we buy billions’ worth from them, for example the [F-35 fighter jets] and Patriot missiles,” he argued.
While some critics and media headlines have described Switzerland’s move as “taking a side” or “getting involved”, the Swiss government insists the opposite is true. Under the Swiss War Materiel Act, exports of war materials to countries engaged in an international armed conflict are strictly prohibited.
To uphold its neutrality, Switzerland must apply this law impartially to all belligerents. Since it already bans weapons exports to Iran and Israel, it is now compelled to halt new exports to the United States, as the US is considered a party to the conflict in Iran.
Swiss neutrality is both a legal obligation and a cornerstone of its foreign policy. In practice, this means Switzerland does not participate in armed conflicts between other states and avoids joining military alliances such as NATO to prevent being drawn into collective defence arrangements.
The principle of equal treatment requires Switzerland to deny military resources, such as weapons or airspace, to all sides in a conflict, rather than favouring one over another. This often results in a total ban for all parties involved.
Despite its neutral stance, Switzerland maintains a well-equipped military for its own self-defence, ensuring that no foreign power can easily use its territory for military purposes. The origins of Swiss neutrality are both practical and historical.
The policy was initially adopted to prevent internal divisions within the multi-lingual, multi-religious Swiss confederation, which could have been exacerbated by involvement in European wars. Switzerland’s neutrality was formally recognised at the Congress of Vienna in 1815, when Europe’s major powers agreed on the need for a stable, neutral “buffer zone” in the heart of the continent.
Switzerland’s decision has implications far beyond its borders, including for the UK. As a major high-tech manufacturer, Switzerland supplies components for complex defence systems such as the F-35 fighter jet, used by the UK and other NATO allies.
Blocking exports to the US could disrupt global supply chains and impact the production of these systems. Meanwhile, the ongoing conflict in Iran has already driven oil prices above $100 a barrel, and Switzerland’s stance underscores the seriousness of the international crisis.
Finally, Switzerland’s strict neutrality enables it to act as a diplomatic “Protecting Power,” relaying messages between countries without formal relations, such as the US and Iran, and preserving its unique role as a facilitator of future peace talks.
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