Trump threats on Twitter spark new summon for Swiss envoy in Iran
The Swiss envoy representing United States interests in Tehran was summoned by Iranian authorities on Sunday in protest over threats made by President Donald Trump, according to Reuters news agencyExternal link.
Washington, Trump vowed in a series of Twitter messages posted on Saturday, will target Iranian sites if Tehran attacks American citizens or assets in retaliation for the killing of military commander Qasem Soleimani.
Iran has threatened “revenge” after the United States confirmed on Friday that President Donald Trump had ordered the strike against the head of the Iranian elite Quds force.
External Content
….targeted 52 Iranian sites (representing the 52 American hostages taken by Iran many years ago), some at a very high level & important to Iran & the Iranian culture, and those targets, and Iran itself, WILL BE HIT VERY FAST AND VERY HARD. The USA wants no more threats!
The Swiss foreign ministry confirmed a meeting was held “under the protective power mandate” and described the contents of the discussion as “confidential.”
This marks the second time that Iran summons the Swiss envoy representing US interest in Tehran since the commander was killed in Iraq.
Switzerland has exercised a “protecting power mandate” for the United States in Iran since 1980.
Washington broke off relations with Tehran in 1980 over the hostage crisis that kept 52 American diplomats and citizens trapped at its embassy in Iran for 444 days.
The alpine state offers its “Good OfficesExternal link” between in conflict countries that have cut off official ties.
Macron will attend Swiss summit on Ukraine, says Zelensky
This content was published on
French President Emmanuel Macron will attend the peace conference on Ukraine at the Swiss Bürgenstock resort next month, according to Volodymyr Zelensky.
Top politician tells ‘corrupt’ Eurovision to stay away from Bern
This content was published on
A social media post by the president of Bern’s cantonal government critical of the Eurovision Song Contest has created waves and will be discussed in the cantonal parliament.
Swiss centre records over 200 victims of human trafficking
This content was published on
Last year 317 people took part in a protection programme run by the Specialist Unit for Trafficking in Women and Women’s Migration (FIZ) in German-speaking Switzerland.
This content was published on
The Geneva-based International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and partners are opening a field hospital in southern Gaza on Tuesday.
Lack of smartphone sustainability in Switzerland hits environment
This content was published on
Almost half of all Swiss citizens hang on to their old smartphones, tablets and laptops, according to the Federal Statistical Office.
Police clear out pro-Palestinian students protesting in Geneva
This content was published on
The police intervened early on Tuesday to dislodge pro-Palestinian students who had been occupying the University of Geneva for almost a week.
New gel developed in Zurich renders alcohol harmless
This content was published on
A newly developed gel composed of whey proteins breaks down alcohol in the body and could reduce its harmful and intoxicating effects in humans.
Pro-Palestine protests extend to Basel and Fribourg universities
This content was published on
Demonstrators called for an academic boycott of all Israeli institutions and disassociation with Chaim Weizmann, the first Israeli president.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Swiss humanitarian channel to Iran seen within months
This content was published on
A humanitarian channel to bring food and medicine to Iran could be up and running within months, senior Swiss and U.S. officials told Reuters.
Swiss diplomat to Tehran summoned after Iranian general killed
This content was published on
Switzerland has called on both sides to avoid escalating an already volatile situation. Iran has threatened “revenge” following the death of Qasem Soleimani in Iraq on Friday. The US has confirmed that President Donald Trump had ordered the strike against the head of the Iranian elite Quds Force. The Iranian foreign ministry tweeted that it…
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.