Bern recommends firms pursue Iran ties despite US sanctions
An Iranian worker assembles a car in a manufacturing plant near Tehran. The Swiss government has said it will defend Swiss economic interests in Iran
Keystone
The Swiss government regrets the “deteriorating” situation regarding sanctions imposed by the United States on Iran, but recommends Swiss firms pursue their business relations with the Islamic Republic on an informed basis, it said on Thursday.
This content was published on
2 minutes
Reuters/ts
Companies doing business with Iran will be barred from the United States, President Donald Trump said on Tuesday, as new US sanctions targeting dollars, metals trading, coal, industrial software and its auto sector took effect despite pleas from Washington’s allies.
The move follows Washington reneging on a 2015 deal to lift sanctions in return for curbs on Iran’s nuclear programme.
European countries, hoping to persuade Tehran to continue to respect the deal, have promised to try to lessen the blow of sanctions and to urge their firms not to pull out. But that has proved difficult: European companies have quit Iran, arguing that they cannot risk their US business.
“US decisions on sanctions do not affect the legal situation in Switzerland with regard to Iran,” said Fabian Maienfisch of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).
Renewed US sanctions may affect Swiss firms that have business relations with Iran, however.
“Switzerland regrets that the sanctions situation in relation to Iran is again deteriorating,” he said.
The Swiss government would defend Swiss economic interests but could not dictate the reaction of companies to the new climate, he said, adding: “[The government] recommends that companies pursue their commercial relations with Iran and inform themselves about the situation.”
Swiss-based Nestlé, the world’s biggest food company, which produces infant formula and cereals as well as bottled water in Iran, said on Tuesday it saw no direct fallout from renewed US sanctions on the country.
More
More
Swiss Politics
Rouhani: Iran will respect nuclear deal as long as interests preserved
This content was published on
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has spoken in Bern about the international nuclear agreement.
This content was published on
Production in Switzerland's secondary sector fell in the second quarter of 2025. The decline was more pronounced in the construction sector than for industry.
Swiss army recruits remain in hospital after gruelling test exercise
This content was published on
Four potential recruits for the elite Swiss grenadier unit were hospitalised last week after taking part in a gruelling exercise in hot weather. Three remain in hospital with one placed temporarily in an artificial coma.
University of Basel to mark 125th anniversary of Nietzsche’s death
This content was published on
This month the University of Basel is celebrating the German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, who was a professor there from 1869 to 1879. August 25th marks the 125th anniversary of his death.
Trump tariffs: Swiss brands struggle to adapt to 39% tariff
This content was published on
Swiss brands like Victorinox, the manufacturer of the iconic pocket knife, are struggling to adapt to the 39% tariff imposed by the United States on imports of Swiss goods.
Fish and aquatic plants are under ‘severe pressure’ in Swiss rivers and lakes
This content was published on
Fish, aquatic plants and other animals in Swiss rivers, lakes and streams remain under 'severe pressure', according to the Federal Office for the Environment.
Swatch withdraws ‘slanted eyes’ ad after China uproar
This content was published on
The Swiss watch manufacturer Swatch has apologised and withdrawn an advertising campaign worldwide following accusations of racism in China. The ad features a model pulling the corners of his eyes.
Police identify bodies of three climbers who died in Swiss Alps
This content was published on
Police have formally identified the bodies of three climbers who died in the Upper Valais region in early August: they are from Germany, France and Austria.
Bern exhibition reunites Kirchner paintings after 92 years
This content was published on
The painting Sonntag der Bergbauern (Alpsonntag) [Sunday of the Mountain Farmers (Alp Sunday) by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner (1880-1938) is being transferred from Berlin to Bern to feature in an upcoming exhibition at Kunstmuseum Bern.
Voters approve extension of Engadine Airport in Switzerland
This content was published on
Residents in the Upper Engadine region gave the greenlight on Sunday to the expansion of the regional airport at Samedan, one of Europe’s highest airports (1,707 metres) that serves the nearby resorts of St Moritz and Davos.
Private equity group Advent to buy U-Blox for $1.3 billion
This content was published on
Private equity group Advent International has agreed to take over Switzerland's U-Blox Holding in a cash offer worth CHF1.05 billion ($1.30 billion).
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 media slam Trump, ‘Putin’s useful idiot’
This content was published on
Swiss newspapers have lambasted US President Donald Trump for siding with long-time enemy Russia over his own intelligence agencies.
This content was published on
A former Swiss ambassador to Tehran explains Iran’s complicated relationship with the West – and why Donald Trump is disastrous for the region.
This content was published on
Several Swiss newspapers on Sunday reported that Swiss firms in Iran have stopped making new business contracts two weeks ago. Sharif Nezam-Mafi, chairman of the Swiss-Iranian chamber of commerceExternal link, is quoted as saying several Swiss firms were about to close their subsidiaries in Iran. He apparently met representatives of major Swiss companies in Tehran…
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.