Switzerland refuses two US military overflight requests — reviewing war classification under neutrality law

Switzerland has refused two US military overflight requests since the escalation of tensions in the Middle East, the Swiss Federal Office of Civil Aviation confirmed. The applications were rejected for 'procedural reasons' as they required further clarification and could not be approved within the required timeframe. More significantly, Switzerland's Federal Council is assessing whether the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran should be legally classified as a war under Switzerland's neutrality laws. If such a designation is made, military overflights by states directly involved in hostilities could be broadly prohibited — meaning Switzerland would effectively close its airspace to US and Israeli military aircraft for the duration of the conflict. Switzerland requires foreign militaries to obtain diplomatic clearance for flights through its airspace, with politically sensitive requests referred to the Federal Council. The refusals and the neutrality review come as several European NATO members — notably France and Germany — have publicly stated they will not participate in offensive operations against Iran, while the UK has contributed military support including confirmation of Iranian Hormuz mining. Switzerland's potential formal neutrality declaration would be the most significant European distancing from the US-Israel coalition yet.