Switzerland Blocks Arms Sales to U.S. Over Iran War [View all]

Source: New York Times

March 20, 2026, 4:34 p.m. ET


Switzerland has blocked any new sales of arms to the United States, invoking its policy of strict neutrality toward countries involved in armed conflict. “The export of war materiel to countries involved in the international armed conflict with Iran cannot be authorized for the duration of the conflict,” the government said in a statement on Friday. “Exports of war materiel to the USA cannot currently be authorized.”

The United States is the second-biggest market for Swiss arms after Germany, buying military goods worth 94.2 million francs (approximately $120 million) in 2025. The suspension applies to at least a part of SIG Sauer, a major small arms maker based in both Switzerland and Germany. Its guns are sold in the United States and are heavily used by the U.S. military and law enforcement agencies.

The government said it had not issued any new licenses for arms exports to the United States since the war began on Feb. 28, and an interdepartmental body will regularly review such sales to see if any action is required under Swiss neutrality laws.

Sales under previously granted licenses can continue. The government noted it had not licensed arms exports to Israel or Iran for a number of years.

Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/20/world/middleeast/switzerland-halts-arms-sales-us.html