Switzerland Defence Minister Martin Pfister has criticised the United States and Israel over their airstrikes on Iran, saying the attacks breached international law.
In comments published Sunday by the Swiss newspaper SonntagsZeitung, Pfister said;
“The Americans and Israel have attacked Iran from the air. In doing so, they, like Iran, have violated international law,” Pfister said, urging all sides to halt the fighting and ensure the protection of civilians.
The Swiss defence chief also warned that the conflict could have wider repercussions for Europe. He said the region could become entangled not only through conventional military escalation but also through asymmetric threats such as terrorism.
Pfister cautioned that Switzerland could face security risks if the conflict intensifies.
“There is a risk of terrorist attacks in Switzerland,” he said, adding that the war could also trigger a new wave of refugees that might reach Europe.
Although he said Switzerland was unlikely to be directly targeted by Iranian long-range missiles, Pfister noted that collateral damage could not be ruled out and acknowledged gaps in the country’s current defensive capabilities.
“We currently have nothing to defend against long-range attacks,” he said.
Pfister emphasised that national security must extend beyond military preparedness, highlighting the importance of law enforcement and intelligence agencies in addressing emerging threats.
He also argued that European countries had underestimated security risks in recent decades.
“Our perfected society with its prosperity is still a long way from the current conflicts,” he said. “This war, as bad as it is, could also trigger a rethink in this country, which is urgently needed.”
Tensions in the Middle East have surged since the United States and Israel launched large-scale strikes on Iran on Feb. 28, an escalation that reportedly killed more than 1,200 people, including Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, hundreds of civilians and senior military officials.
Iran has since responded with widespread retaliatory attacks targeting U.S. bases, diplomatic sites and military personnel across the region, as well as several cities in Israel.
