Switzerland Rejects Two US Recon Flights Over Neutrality

Switzerland's government rejected two requests from the United States for military reconnaissance flights over its airspace, citing the country's neutrality law amid the ongoing war between the US, Israel, and Iran. The decision, announced on March 14, 2026, by the Swiss Federal Council, approved three other US flight requests deemed unrelated to the conflict.

The rejections involved reconnaissance planes scheduled for March 15 that authorities determined were directly linked to military operations in the Iran conflict. In contrast, the approved flights included two transport aircraft also set for March 15 and a maintenance-related flight planned for March 17. "The Federal Council today decided on several overflight requests for US military aircraft. Two requests related to the war in Iran were rejected, while one maintenance flight and two overflight requests for transport aircraft were approved," the government stated.

Switzerland's neutrality, recognized internationally since 1815, requires the nation to remain impartial in armed conflicts between other states. Under its neutrality law, overflights by parties to a conflict are prohibited if they serve military purposes...