Switzerland's Federal Council announced Friday that it will halt new arms exports to the United States for the duration of the ongoing war with Iran, citing the country's longstanding tradition of neutrality.

The decision means no new licenses for war materiel will be issued to Swiss companies seeking to sell weapons or ammunition to the U.S., which has been a major customer for the Swiss arms industry. Existing export licenses remain valid but are now under review by a panel of experts from the Federal Departments of Economic Affairs, Foreign Affairs, and Defense to ensure compliance with neutrality laws. The government stated that "exports of war materiel to the US cannot currently be authorized" and that such exports to countries involved in the conflict cannot be approved.

No new licenses have been granted since U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran began on February 28, 2026. That operation, dubbed Epic Fury by the U.S. and Roaring Lion by Israel, targeted Iranian nuclear sites, military bases, missile facilities, and leadership compounds, resulting in the deaths of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and several top officials. Iran retaliated with missile and drone strikes on U.S. bases in the Gulf, Israel, and other regional targets, escalating the conflict into its fourth week. Casualties in Iran exceed 1,400 confirmed deaths, with thousands more wounded, while U.S. losses stand at 15 service members killed.

Switzerland's move aligns with its policy under the War Material Act, which prohibits arms exports to parties engaged in active hostilities. The neutral stance has led to other restrictions, including the rejection of two U.S. military overflight requests deemed directly linked to combat operations in the Iran war. Three other requests for maintenance and transport flights were approved as unrelated to the conflict. Switzerland also closed its embassy in Tehran earlier this month amid the escalation.

The decision underscores Switzerland's commitment to impartiality in international conflicts, even as it navigates economic ties with major trading partners like the U.S. Swiss firms have not exported war materiel to Iran or Israel in recent years, but the U.S. has been a key market. The halt could affect ongoing defense supply chains, though specifics on impacted contracts were not disclosed.

As the U.S.-Iran war continues with strikes on energy infrastructure and military targets, Switzerland's actions highlight the challenges neutral states face in balancing diplomacy, trade, and international law.