Swiss foreign minister concerned about war risk in the Middle East
The attack also targeted the Aramco oil processing facility which in turn disrupted global energy supply.
Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved
The recent drone attacks on Saudi oil installations have intensified Switzerland’s role as intermediary between the US and Iran.
This content was published on
1 minute
SDA-Keystone/ac
العربية
ar
الخارجية السويسرية تعرب عن قلقها إزاء تصاعد التوتر في الشرق الأوسط
Switzerland, which represents the United States in Iran and vice versa, has initiated a mediation between Washington and Tehran, Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis said in an interview published on Sunday in the NZZ am Sonntag paper.
“I can’t go into details, but the Secretary of State Baeriswyl and myself are active on a technical, political and diplomatic level. We offer our good offices,” he said.
According to Cassis, “it only takes a little for something dangerous to happen”. The 58-year-old member of Switzerland’s governing Federal Council claims to have intervened directly as an intermediary between Mike Pompeo on the American side and Mohammad Javad Zarifon the Iranian side, including “once on a Saturday at home by telephone”. He did not want to get involved in the “speculation on the paternity of attacks”.
The drone and missile strikes on September 14 against Saudi oil installations and a processing plant, were claimed by the Yemeni Houthis rebels. But the United States and Saudi Arabia accuse Tehran of being the cause, which the Islamic Republic denies.
More
More
Switzerland confirms protecting power mandate
This content was published on
The Swiss ministry of foreign affairs announced Sunday that Switzerland will represent the interests of Saudi Arabia in Iran, and those of Iran in Saudi Arabia, following the rupture of diplomatic relations between the countries.
Train vs plane: would you take a direct train between London and Geneva?
Eurostar is planning to run direct trains from Britain to Germany and Switzerland from the early 2030s. Would you favour the train over the plane? If not, why not?
This content was published on
Despite the tense economic situation, the desire to consume in Switzerland remains unbroken. Mr and Mrs Swiss spent more money in May than in the previous year, particularly on restaurant visits and leisure activities, as shown by the consumption indicator compiled by Postfinance.
This content was published on
A bear killed four sheep in the Lower Engadine region near Scuol, canton Graubünden last week. This was the first bear attack on livestock in the region in four years.
This content was published on
Experts believe that economic development in Switzerland will be weaker in 2026 than three months ago. They have also lowered their expectations for the current year.
This content was published on
Fewer people in Switzerland have a religious affiliation and the proportion who practice their religion regularly is steadily declining, a survey finds.
Study: trees have major cooling effect even in extreme heat
This content was published on
Plane trees in cities have an important cooling effect even in extreme heat, according to a new study by the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL).
EPFL launches digitised version of Battle of Murten panorama
This content was published on
To mark the anniversary of the Battle of Murten on 22 June 1476, the Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL) has launched a website that offers the public an immersive experience of the huge panorama painting of the historic battle.
77th Swiss Gymnastics Festival praised for ‘positive energy’
This content was published on
The 77th Federal Gymnastics Festival drew to a close on Sunday in Lausanne, after eleven days of popular celebration and sporting performances.
This content was published on
Emergency crews contained the oil and began removing some of the pollution from the water’s surface, said the St Gallen cantonal police on Sunday.
Switzerland lifts sanctions on Syria after Assad’s fall
This content was published on
Switzerland is lifting economic sanctions on Syria, but targeted measures against figures linked to the former regime remain in place.
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
Iran protests to Swiss envoy over US drone airspace ‘violation’
This content was published on
Iran has reportedly protested to the Swiss envoy in Tehran over what Iran said was a violation of its airspace by a US drone.
This content was published on
Swiss Foreign Minister Cassis has called on the US to facilitate the provision of aid to Iran to de-escalate tensions between the US and Iran.
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.