Switzerland confirms its role in US-Iran prisoner exchange as 'humanitarian gesture'
Switzerland has confirmed its role in the US-Iran silent deal that led to the release of American Michael White from Tehran and Iranian Majid Taheri from US.
- World News
- 2 min read
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Switzerland has confirmed its role in the US-Iran silent deal that led to the release of American Michael White from Tehran and Iranian Majid Taheri from Washington citing тАЬhumanitarian gestureтАЭ. In a statement released on June 5, a day after White arrived in the US after being detained in Iran for nearly two years, Swiss Foreign Ministry said that it welcomes the move by both the country. Switzerland has also assured that it would be willing to help both the US and Iran in building mutual trust.
The statement said, тАЬSwitzerland had contributed to the successful exchange of prisoners. She is responsible for protecting power mandates against the USA and Iran. Switzerland's role in these mandates includes negotiations with the participating countries and the constant creation of confidence-building measures.тАЭ
Swiss Federal Councilor Ignazio Cassis also hailed the reuniting of detainees with their families as тАЬanother step that was successfully completedтАЭ that was in accordance with SwitzerlandтАЩs sustained tradition of тАЬgood officesтАЭ. The United States Navy veteran was detained in Iran in 2018 and was released on June 4. US President Donald Trump and Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif confirmed the arrival of both individuals. WhiteтАЩs mother expressed her sigh of relief and said, тАЬnightmare is now overтАЭ.
A further step successful completed: I welcome the humanitarian gesture of Iran and the United States that led to the release of the American and Iranian citizen. We stand ready for further facilitation, in accordance with our long-lasting tradition of good offices.
тАФ Ignazio Cassis (@ignaziocassis) June 4, 2020
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тАШPart of the consularтАЩ
In the official release, the Swiss government said that as тАЬprotective powerтАЭ it assumed the role of the тАЬconsularтАЭ and/or тАЬdiplomatic tasksтАЭ if both US and Iran break their relations. It also credited itself for Washington and Tehran to maintain relationships and offered the тАЬpostman functionтАЭ on its own or on the request of the countries concerned.
тАЬAs a protective power, Switzerland assumes part of the consular and/or diplomatic tasks if two states break off their relations in whole or in part. Thanks to the protective power, states can maintain minimal relationships and the protective power grants consular protection to nationals in the other state,тАЭ Swiss FDFA.