Middle East war: Switzerland rejects US requests to use its airspace for military operations

Switzerland has declined requests from the United States to allow military-related flights through its airspace in connection with the ongoing conflict involving Iran, citing its obligations under international neutrality laws.

The Swiss government disclosed on Saturday that two requests tied to the war were rejected after being reviewed under the country’s neutrality policy.

“In total, two requests linked to the war in Iran were refused, while a maintenance flight and two requests for transport aircraft were approved,” the government said in a statement.

According to authorities, the rejected requests involved reconnaissance flights scheduled for March 15.

Explaining the decision, the Swiss government said its neutrality laws prohibit the use of its territory for military activities related to armed conflicts.

“The law of neutrality prohibits overflights by parties to a conflict for military purposes related to that conflict,” the statement said, referencing the war involving the United States, Israel and Iran.

However, the government noted that certain categories of flights are still allowed under international rules.

Flights for humanitarian or medical purposes, including the transport of injured persons, as well as flights not connected to the conflict, remain permitted.

The development comes amid heightened diplomatic tensions among Western allies over access to military facilities and airspace following the escalation of hostilities in the Middle East.

At the start of the war, US President Donald Trump publicly criticised the United Kingdom for initially hesitating to allow American forces to use its bases, and later threatened Spain with trade measures after Madrid declined a similar request.

Keep dreaming; Khomeini slams US President on claims he has destroyed Iranian nuclear sites

Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on Monday rejected US President Donald Trump’s assertion that American strikes in June had destroyed Iran’s nuclear facilities.

In a statement on his official website, Khamenei told Trump to “keep dreaming” regarding the alleged destruction and questioned the US president’s authority “to say what a country should or should not have if it possesses a nuclear industry.”

The claims follow an unprecedented bombing campaign by Israel in mid-June, which saw the US briefly join in targeting key Iranian nuclear sites.

Last week, speaking at the Israeli Knesset, Trump said the US had confirmed “obliterating” the facilities.

“So we dropped 14 bombs on Iran’s key nuclear facilities. Totally as I said originally obliterating them and that’s been confirmed,” he stated.

In a Sunday interview with Fox News, Trump added that Iran “no longer became the bully of the Middle East” after the strikes, which he claimed “destroyed their nuclear capability” and described as “the most beautiful military operation.”

However, the actual impact of the strikes remains unclear.

The Pentagon estimated that the attacks delayed Iran’s nuclear program by one to two years, contradicting an initial classified US intelligence report suggesting only a few months of setback.

On Monday, Khamenei described Trump’s comments as “improper, wrong, and bullying.”

The June conflict with Israel occurred just two days before a planned sixth round of nuclear negotiations between Tehran and Washington, which had started in April.

Talks have since stalled, with Iran stating it would only resume discussions if the US provided guarantees against military action.

JUST IN: Israel has agreed to 60-day ceasefire says Donald Trump

Israel has agreed to the necessary conditions for a 60-day ceasefire in the Gaza war and it is now up to Hamas to accept the deal, U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday.

During the two-month period, the United States will work with all parties to end the conflict, Trump wrote on his platform, Truth Social.

Representatives from Qatar and Egypt, who have been heavily involved in peace efforts, will deliver this latest proposal to the Palestinian extremist organisation, Hamas.

“I hope, for the good of the Middle East, that Hamas takes this Deal, because it will not get better – IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE,” Trump said in his post.

The president said U.S. representatives held a long and productive meeting with Israeli officials on Tuesday to discuss Gaza.

However, there was no immediate comment from the Israeli side.

Trump had already hinted at a possible ceasefire in the Gaza war a few days ago.

He is set to host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington next week, with the Gaza war at the top of the agenda.

Trump reiterated on Tuesday that he expects an agreement to be reached next week.

The U.S. has been working for weeks to gain support for a plan involving an initial 60-day ceasefire. (dpa/NAN)