Switzerland Refuses Overflight of U.S. Reconnaissance Aircraft in Operations Against Iran

Decision Based on Neutrality Law
Medical and Humanitarian Flights Permitted

Neutral Switzerland has partially denied passage through its airspace to U.S. military aircraft involved in military operations against Iran.

Jungfrau, Interlaken, Switzerland. Yonhap News Agency

The Swiss Federal Council announced on the 14th (local time) that it had denied airspace passage for two reconnaissance flights out of five requests made by the United States, but approved three others, including transport aircraft.

The Federal Council explained that this decision was made in accordance with Switzerland's neutrality law, which prohibits the passage of military aircraft serving the purposes of parties to a conflict. It also stated that, together with relevant ministries such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Defense, it is discussing how to respond should there be additional requests for airspace passage. The Swiss government indicated that flights for medical or humanitarian purposes, such as the transport of war casualties, would be permitted.

Across Europe, the issue of military cooperation regarding the U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran continues to spark debate. On February 28, the United Kingdom and Spain denied the use of their military bases to the U.S. and Israel when the war against Iran began, citing potential violations of international law and other reasons.

On the 3rd, U.S. President Donald Trump met with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the White House and criticized the United Kingdom and Spain. He thanked Chancellor Merz for allowing military aircraft to take off and land, calling him a "great leader."

In the current conflict, the United States is using the Ramstein Air Base in southwestern Germany as its operational base in Europe.

While the German government has expressed a critical stance toward the military actions of the U.S. and Israel, it has not imposed restrictions on the use of its domestic bases.

Stefan Cornelius, spokesperson for the German government, stated, "The use of military bases is in accordance with international law and precedents set by the German Federal Constitutional Court," and added, "We regularly discuss legal matters with the United States and have no reason to restrict the use of these bases."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.