GENEVA, March 21: Switzerland decided Friday it will not authorise the export of war materiel to the United States during the Middle East conflict, in line with its long-standing principle of military neutrality.
Switzerland has already refused US requests for flights over its territory since the war erupted on February 28 when the United States and Israel began attacks on Iran.
Following that decision, on Friday the Swiss government looked at applying neutrality to exports to states involved in the war.
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"The export of war materiel to countries involved in the international armed conflict with Iran cannot be authorised for the duration of the conflict," said a government statement.
"Existing licences and exports of other goods will now be regularly reviewed by an interdepartmental group of experts, particularly with regard to their compatibility with neutrality.
"Exports of war materiel to the USA cannot currently be authorised," and existing US licences will now face regular review, it said, whilst adding that Switzerland has not issued war materiel export licences to Israel or Iran for years.
Since the conflict started, no new licences have been issued for exports of war goods to the United States, Bern said.
Existing US licences "have been determined to be of no relevance to the war at present and can therefore continue to be used", the statement said.
Nevertheless, an expert group drawn from the foreign, defence and economy ministries will regularly review developments in exports of the goods in question to the United States, and assess whether any action is required.
Swiss neutrality traces its roots back to 1516 and has been internationally recognised since 1815.
