Since 1815, Switzerland has been officially recognized as a neutral country by the international community. Its neutrality is permanent, armed, and freely chosen.
Switzerland has announced for the first time since the beginning of the conflict in the Middle East on Saturday that it has rejected two requests from the United States to fly over its territory, citing its “right to neutrality.” The Americans had submitted several requests, including for military aircraft, the Swiss government said in a statement. “In total, two requests related to the war in Iran have been rejected,” it said, specifying that it had processed all requests submitted by Washington on Saturday.
They each concerned “a reconnaissance aircraft” for a passage on March 15 in Swiss airspace. The government, however, approved a maintenance flight, among others. The Swiss government explains that “the United States and Israel are at war with Iran,” consequently “the right of neutrality applies.”
It emphasizes that “the right of neutrality prohibits overflights carried out by parties in a conflict for military purposes related to said conflict.” Flights for humanitarian or medical purposes, including transporting the wounded, as well as overflights unrelated to the conflict, are authorized. Since 1815, Switzerland has been officially recognized as a neutral country by the international community. Its neutrality is permanent, armed, and freely chosen.
