A market in Tehran, Iran - it has been reported that sanctions are having an effect on the population
Keystone / Abedin Taherkenareh
A Swiss-facilitated humanitarian trade channel to bring food and medicine to Iran will be the subject of talks at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Swiss public television SRF says.
This content was published on
2 minutes
SRF/Reuters/swissinfo.ch/ilj
Español
es
Davos debatirá sobre el corredor humanitario para Irán
Switzerland acts as an intermediary between the United States and Iran, though its good offices. Recent tensions between Washington and Tehran have brought its messenger role into the spotlight.
For more than a year and a half, Switzerland has also been working on a payment channel for Swiss companies and banks that would allow humanitarian goods to be delivered to Iran, despite US sanctions on the country. This is known as the “Swiss Humanitarian Trade Agreement (SHTA)”, SRF says. Negotiations have been held on the issue with the US.
WEFExternal link, which runs from January 21-24 in the Swiss mountain resort, is expected to attract around 500 high-profile business and political figures, and other leaders of society. One of the most high-profile attendees is US President Donald Trump.
In an interview ahead of Davos with SRF, published in English on swissinfo.ch on Friday, Iranian ambassador in Bern, Mohammad Reza Haji Karim Jabbari, spoke about the possible humanitarian trade channel for the first time.
The ambassador said that Iran appreciated Switzerland’s role in trying to establish the channel and that fact that the country had conducted “extensive negotiations with the US government”. He said there was shortage of medicine and medical supplies in Iran and “the root of the medicine shortage lies in the blocking of our banking system” by the US.
As for the US, in an interview with the Reuters news agency published on December 11, 2019, Edward McMullen, the US ambassador to Bern, was optimistic about the prospects for the Swiss model. “Fortunately, I think we are at that point now where we are working with Switzerland on the final details. And hopefully we’ll be seeing some kind of finality to that conversation in the near future,” he told Reuters.
More
More
Iran: ‘Without Switzerland the situation could be worse’
This content was published on
Without Switzerland’s good offices, the situation in the Persian Gulf could deteriorate, says the Iranian ambassador in Bern.
Basel diocese files five claims of sexual abuse in Swiss Catholic Church
This content was published on
The diocese of Basel has received 141 reports of sexual abuse since the publication of a sweeping study on violations in the Catholic Church by the University of Zurich in 2023.
Swiss president calls for open markets and stable institutions in WEF speech
This content was published on
Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter was among speakers at the WEF in Davos to make the case for fair competition, a day after Donald Trump became the 47th president of the United States.
Swiss film in competition at the 75th Berlinale has a shot at Golden Bear
This content was published on
The feature film La Cache by Lausanne screenwriter and director Lionel Baier has a chance of winning the Silver or Golden Bear at the 75th Berlinale, festival organisers said on Tuesday.
Swiss politician who shot at image of Jesus resigns from Liberal Green Party
This content was published on
Sanija Ameti, who caused controversy after shooting at an image of Jesus and Mary last September, has resigned from the Liberal Green Party.
Swiss campaigners gather enough signatures to submit ‘responsible business’ initiative
This content was published on
The Swiss people are set to vote again on the corporate responsibility of multinationals after campaigners collected 183,661 signatures in 14 days for their new 'responsible business' initiative.
Several Swiss municipalities and banks hit by cyberattack
This content was published on
Russian hackers attacked the websites of several Swiss municipalities and banks on Tuesday, just as the World Economic Forum (WEF), got under way in Davos.
Music strengthens brain connections in premature babies, Swiss study shows
This content was published on
In premature babies, music strengthens connections in certain areas of the brain, according to a years-long study by the University Hospitals of Geneva (HUG).
WEF gives Crystal Award to Beckham, Yamamoto and von Fürstenberg
This content was published on
The World Economic Forum in Davos handed out awards to UNICEF ambassador David Beckham, Japanese architect Riken Yamamoto and women's rights activist Diane von Fürstenberg.
Swiss CEOs betting on a strong domestic market in 2025
This content was published on
Swiss business leaders are optimistic about 2025, despite a world in crisis, says a new survey by Pricewaterhouse Coopers.
This content was published on
Economics Minister Guy Parmelin and Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis have welcomed Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang to Bern
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
How ‘messenger’ Switzerland deals with the US and Iran
This content was published on
As tensions rise between the United States and Iran, Switzerland’s role as intermediary between the two countries has returned to the spotlight. But why is neutral Switzerland getting involved?
The Iranian paradox: a regional powerhouse but weak at home
This content was published on
Analysis: the US killing of a top Iranian commander has not diminished Iran’s regional power, but internally the regime faces an impasse.
Trump threats on Twitter spark new summon for Swiss envoy in Iran
This content was published on
The Swiss envoy representing US interests in Tehran was summoned by Iranian authorities on Sunday in protest over threats made by President Trump.
Swiss diplomat to Tehran summoned after Iranian general killed
This content was published on
Switzerland has called on both sides to avoid escalating an already volatile situation. Iran has threatened “revenge” following the death of Qasem Soleimani in Iraq on Friday. The US has confirmed that President Donald Trump had ordered the strike against the head of the Iranian elite Quds Force. The Iranian foreign ministry tweeted that it…
Swiss humanitarian channel to Iran seen within months
This content was published on
A humanitarian channel to bring food and medicine to Iran could be up and running within months, senior Swiss and U.S. officials told Reuters.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.