The advance detachment is already there: four Swiss diplomats are preparing to reopen the embassy in Tehran. But there is a change at the top of the embassy.
April 24, 2026, 3:58 p.mApril 24, 2026, 3:58 p.m
Stefan Bühler / ch media
“As of this week, a small team from the Swiss Embassy has been present in Tehran again,” the Foreign Affairs Department (EDA) announced early on Friday afternoon. It is a “technical team” consisting of four Swiss employees who are preparing the “gradual resumption of embassy operations”.
Receives new task: Ambassador Olivier Bangerter.Image: keystone
It is a return to a fragile environment: the embassy was evacuated on March 11th after days of bombardment by Israel and the USA on Iran. After his return, Ambassador Olivier Bangerter described how he and his… Staff had to spend the night in the basement of the residence.
There is currently a ceasefire between the USA and Iran. How long this will last is uncertain. War can break out again at any time.
The decision to gradually reopen the embassy was made after a risk analysis, writes the FDFA, “in consultation with Iran and the USA, whose interests Switzerland represents within the framework of its protecting power mandate.” It is unclear when the embassy will resume full operations. That depends on how the situation develops: “Consular services, including issuing visas, cannot currently be offered.”
Clairhörig provides the following information from the announcement: “The technical team is led by the Swiss chargé d’affaires.” The chargé d’affaires is usually number two at an embassy. Why doesn’t Ambassador Olivier Bangerter lead the way?
In response to a corresponding request, the FDFA states:
“After intensive months in a difficult environment and for personal reasons, Ambassador Olivier Bangerter and the FDFA have decided that Ambassador Bangerter will not return to Tehran.”
Bangerter will take on a new role within the department and the ambassador position will be re-advertised.
What’s behind the personnel castling?
The type of information – only upon request – as well as the wording leaves room for speculation. Are there really personal reasons that are preventing the ambassador from returning?
Bangerter exposed himself with his performance after returning home to Bern. Among other things, he had talked about white wine stocks in the embassy, which was promptly rebuked by the Iranian ambassador in Bern via “Blick”. Alcohol is taboo in Iran.
The closure of the embassy in March also leaves room for speculation as to whether this decision was made hastily: representations of other EU states, such as Finland and France, remained open at the time – even though they have no role as a protecting power. At the same time, the Swiss authorities confirmed that no specialists from Army Detachment AAD 10 accompanied Bangerter and his team’s departure. This force is explicitly trained for such missions. (aargauerzeitung.ch)