Published on 29 October 2026

Bilateral relations Switzerland–Iran

Relations between Switzerland and Iran focus on peace and security policy, human rights, migration, business and science. Switzerland holds various protecting power mandates relating to Iran in its capacity as a neutral state, including the representation of US interests in Iran.

Relations between Switzerland and Iran are shaped by Switzerland's provision of its good offices. Swiss foreign policy towards Iran aims to alleviate regional tensions, support de-escalation between Iran and the US, and contribute towards a global/multilateral non-proliferation architecture. On 21 May 1980, Switzerland assumed the protecting power mandate for the US in Iran, providing consular and administrative services for US citizens in Iran and acting as a diplomatic liaison between the two countries' foreign ministries. As part of its good offices, Switzerland provides an efficient and confidential channel of communication. Switzerland and Iran conduct regular political consultations. Bilateral relations are embedded in a roadmap adopted by the two countries in 2016.

Key aspects of diplomatic relations

Priority topics include regional stability and security, the continuation of talks on nuclear issues and sanctions, economic and financial cooperation, human rights and migration. The aim is for Switzerland's diplomatic activities to contribute to de-escalation, stability and a lasting peace in the region. Switzerland supports all diplomatic initiatives in this regard and continues to make its good offices available to both parties.

Treaty database

Ecomomic cooperation

Switzerland supports Swiss companies in sectors affected by sanctions, including through the Swiss Humanitarian Trade Arrangement (SHTA), Switzerland's payment channel with Iran, and promotes Iran's integration into the normative framework for global trade. From 2020 to 2023, technical cooperation in the field of intellectual property also took place in this context. Bilateral economic relations are underpinned by a trade agreement (in force since 17 March 2017), a double taxation agreement (in force since 31 December 2003) and a bilateral investment promotion and protection agreement (in force since 1 January 2001).

Country Cockpit, State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO

Cooperation in education, research and innovation

Working with existing instruments and within the framework of its international strategy for education, research and innovation, Switzerland connects interested research institutions in Switzerland and Iran with the aim of maintaining and developing existing cooperation.

Bilaterale Programmes of Switzerland’s international cooperation, State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation SERI

Leading House South Asia and Iran (ZHAW)

Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for Foreign Scholars and Artists

Peace, security and human rights

Switzerland works within the scope of regional security initiatives to promote dialogue between Iran and the countries of the Arabian Peninsula. Since 2003, Switzerland and Iran have conducted a bilateral human rights dialogue, though this is currently suspended. The most recent dialogue on migration took place at the end of 2021 in Tehran; subsequent dialogues were planned but did not take place. Since 2023, an SEM immigration liaison officer for Iran has been based in Islamabad. The SEM and the SDC also provide support to suitable projects in the field of migration (IOM, NRC, UNHCR).

International cooperation and humanitarian aid

Switzerland involves Iran in regional initiatives on water management, climate protection, nutrition security and healthcare. Due to the worsening humanitarian situation caused by the war between Israel, the US and Iran, Switzerland has provided funding as part of an emergency appeal by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (CHF 1 million) and to support the ICRC (CHF 2 million) in Iran.

Cultural exchange

Both countries maintain regular cultural exchanges, with a number of Swiss museums receiving significant artifacts on loan from Iran. Switzerland regularly takes part in celebrations to mark the International Day of La Francophonie and Italian Language Week. The organisation of cultural events has been limited by security policy tensions and the FDFA's longstanding advice against travelling to Iran.

Swiss nationals in Iran

According to statistics on the Swiss abroad, there were 160 Swiss nationals living in Iran at the end of 2025.

History of bilateral relations

Swiss watchmakers settled in the Persian Empire as early as the 17th century. The 19th century marked a strengthening in economic relations between the two countries.

A treaty of friendship and commerce was signed in 1873, followed by a friendship agreement and a permanent residence agreement in 1934. Switzerland opened a consulate in Tehran in 1919 and an embassy there in 1936.

Iranians began coming to Switzerland in the 20th century as students, tourists and refugees.

During a state visit to Tehran in 2016 by the president of the Swiss Confederation, Johann Schneider-Ammann, the two countries signed a roadmap to strengthen bilateral relations.

Switzerland–Iran Road Map

In 2020, celebrations marking the centenary of Switzerland's diplomatic presence in Iran culminated in an official visit to Tehran by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis.

As a neutral state, Switzerland has assumed various protecting power mandates in relation to Iran. It has represented Iranian interests in Egypt since 1979 (though the mandate is currently inactive), US interests in Iran since 1980 and Iranian interests in Canada since 2019. The protecting power mandates for Iran in Saudi Arabia and for Saudi Arabia in Iran ended in 2023.

Iran, Historical Dictionary of Switzerland (de, fr, it)

Diplomatic Documents of Switzerland, Dodis

Switzerland's protecting power mandates

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