Swiss neutrality prompted Switzerland to stop approving new arms export licenses to the United States during the Iran war, the government said Friday. Bern said countries involved in the armed conflict with Iran cannot receive new authorizations for war materiel while the fighting continues.
The Swiss government said no new licenses for war materiel exports to the United States had been issued since the conflict escalated on Feb. 28. It added that exports of war materiel to the U.S. cannot currently be authorized under neutrality law.
Swiss neutrality drives export decision
The move follows earlier Swiss restrictions linked to the same conflict. Last weekend, Bern rejected two U.S. flyover requests tied to Iran-related war flights while allowing three others. Swiss officials said those decisions also reflected neutrality law.
The government said an interdepartmental expert group will keep reviewing exports of relevant goods to the United States and decide whether more action is needed. It also said existing licenses judged unrelated to the current war can still be used for now.
Arms policy remains under pressure
The decision highlights the continuing tension between Swiss neutrality and the country’s defense industry. Switzerland’s strict export rules have already hurt arms sales in recent years, especially after Bern blocked re-exports of Swiss-made equipment to Ukraine. Reuters reported in 2025 that Swiss arms exports had already fallen as the government debated whether to loosen some restrictions.
The latest halt is temporary, but it adds to pressure on Swiss manufacturers that fear being cut out of Western supply chains. At the same time, the government signaled that neutrality remains the controlling principle as long as the Iran war continues.
