Switzerland rejects US military flight over Swiss airspace request

Switzerland has rejected a request from the United States military to allow two of its special aircraft to fly over Swiss airspace, citing international law and the country’s long-standing neutrality policy amid escalating tensions between Iran and the United States.

The decision was announced on Saturday (March 14) by the Swiss Federal Council, reports Al Jazeera.

In a statement, the Swiss government said the request for the two US military aircraft to use its airspace had been denied as part of its commitment to maintaining neutrality during the current instability in the Middle East.

However, Switzerland approved one maintenance flight and two regular transport aircraft after considering humanitarian and logistical factors.

Meanwhile, Abbas Araghchi, foreign minister of Iran, issued a stern warning to Washington, saying Tehran would retaliate if Iranian energy infrastructure were targeted.

“If our national assets are attacked, no US-linked facility in the region will remain safe,” Araghchi said, referring to American companies and installations across the Middle East.