Defense Minister Martin Pfister has criticized the belligerent states in the conflict with Iran. He also warns of the consequences of the war for Switzerland.
03/08/2026, 05:3203/08/2026, 05:33
“The Americans and Israel attacked Iran from the air. “Like Iran, you have violated international law,” he told the “SonntagsZeitung”.
Defense Minister Martin Pfister.Image: keystone
Pfister also did not rule out the possibility that Europe would also be drawn into the war. The danger is not limited to classic military warfare, but to asymmetrical warfare in the sense of terrorist attacks.
“There is a risk that terrorist attacks will occur in Switzerland. “The war could also trigger a wave of refugees that will also reach us,” Pfister continued in the interview. He does not believe that Switzerland is directly threatened by Iranian long-range missiles. However, he does not rule out collateral damage.
Pfister therefore wants to look at security comprehensively and not just in military terms. In addition to the army, the police and intelligence services also played an important role. “I believe that the population will understand that we need more resources for this,” said the Defense Minister.
“Rethinking is urgently needed”
The lack of war defense systems is particularly worrying.
“We currently have nothing to defend against attacks from long distances.”
At the same time, Pfister pointed out that new structures had already been created. The Federal Armaments Office and the Army now have a competence center for drones and robotics as well as a task force that works with science and companies.
Nevertheless, the threat situation has been underestimated in recent decades. “Our perfected society with its prosperity is still a long way from the current conflicts,” Pfister pointed out.
“This war, as bad as it is, could also trigger a rethink in this country that is urgently needed.”
(sda)