The neutral Swiss government refused to allow a U.S. military aircraft to pass through its airspace, saying the U.S. military plane transiting its airspace would be used in a military operation against Iran.
The Swiss Federal Council said on the 14th (local time) that it rejected two of five U.S. requests for military flights to transit its airspace—both reconnaissance flights—and approved three, including transport flights.
The Federal Council said it made the decision under the country's neutrality law, which bans the transit of aircraft of parties to a conflict that are carrying out military purposes.
It also said that, together with relevant ministries including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of National Defense, it discussed how to handle any additional U.S. applications for airspace transit, and noted that flights for medical and humanitarian purposes, including the transport of war casualties, would be allowed.
Britain and Spain last month on the 28th refused to provide their military bases when the United States and Israel launched a war against Iran, citing violations of international law, leading to friction with the U.S. government.
U.S. President Donald Trump on the 3rd at the White House met with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and criticized Britain and Spain.
By contrast, Trump thanked Merz for allowing military aircraft to take off and land and called him a "great leader." The United States is using Ramstein Air Base in southwestern Germany as its European launch base in this war.
The German government has criticized the United States and Israel for lacking a joint plan to end the war early, but it has not restricted the use of its military bases.
German government Spokesperson Stefan Cornelius said, "The use of military bases complies with international law and the case law of the German Federal Constitutional Court," adding, "We regularly discuss legal issues with the U.S. government. There is no reason to restrict the use of the bases."