Switzerland closes Tehran embassy but maintains ‘open line’ between US and Iran
The Straits Times
Switzerland, renowned for its neutrality, has been representing US interests in Iran. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Follow our live coverage here.
GENEVA – Switzerland on March 11 said it was temporarily closing its embassy in Tehran due to the Middle East war but maintaining an “open line” of communication between the US and Iran.
For decades, neutral Switzerland has played a key role in maintaining basic diplomatic contacts between Iran and the US.
The Foreign Ministry in Bern said that in view of the war in the Middle East and the increasing security risk, it had “decided to temporarily close the Swiss embassy in Tehran”.
Ambassador Olivier Bangerter and the remaining five other Swiss staff members left Iran by land earlier on March 11, and will return to Tehran once the situation allows.
“As part of its good offices, Switzerland will continue to maintain an open line of communication between the United States and Iran, in consultation with the two countries,” said the ministry statement.
About 12 per cent of active registered express buses have yet to complete the verification process. Read more at straitstimes.com.
It will also deliberate on the implementation of a five-year national policy plan. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Financial commitments, such as repayment of credit cards, eat into the bulk of their monthly budget. Read more at straitstimes.com.
The conflict exposes the city to many risks, but some are seeing opportunities too. Read more at straitstimes.com.
The 'unprecedented' freeze on trillions of dollars in financial assistance was instituted in early 2025. Read more at straitstimes.com.
The EU recently struck trade accords with India and a bloc of South American countries. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Mr Dan Caldwell was a former top adviser to US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Read more at straitstimes.com.
They allegedly shared images and videos of school shootings in other countries with one another. Read more at straitstimes.com.
CHISINAU, March 16 - A Russian attack on a hydroelectric plant in southern Ukraine triggered an oil spill and polluted water systems in neighbouring Moldova, with supplies cut completely in the country's second-largest city, officials said on Monday. Read more at straitstimes.com.
MOSCOW, March 16 - Russian air defence units downed at least 67 Ukrainian drones headed for Moscow on Monday, according to data published by the city's mayor, Sergei Sobyanin. Read more at straitstimes.com.
MOSCOW, March 16 - Russia has taken control of 12 settlements in Ukraine in the first two weeks of March as part of advances along the front line in eastern and southern Ukraine, Russian state-run news agencies quoted top general Valery Gerasimov as saying on Monday. Read more at straitstimes.com.
The eastern half of the US, including New York, Chicago and Atlanta, has been hit with widespread air travel delays and cancellations. Read more at straitstimes.com.
It could lead to a protracted conflict with devastating humanitarian consequences, the leaders said in a joint statement. Read more at straitstimes.com.