GENEVA, Switzerland: Switzerland on Friday announced the temporary closure of its embassy in Tehran, adding that it would continue to fulfil its role representing US interests in the Islamic Republic.
“In view of the intensity of military operations in Iran and the highly unstable situation on the ground, the FDFA has decided to temporarily close the Swiss embassy in Tehran,” the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.
According to Iranian authorities, at least 224 people have been killed, while in Israel, officials report 24 deaths and more than 840 injuries so far in the conflict.
UN chief urges parties to ‘give peace a chance’
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged Friday with all sides to “give peace a chance” in the Iran-Israel conflict, warning that the violence could spiral out of control.
“To the parties to the conflict — the potential parties to the conflict — and to the Security Council as the representative of the international community, I have a simple and clear message: Give peace a chance,” Guterres said, in a veiled reference to the United States, which is considering intervening militarily to support Israel.
Israel warns Hezbollah against joining conflict
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has warned Lebanon’s Hezbollah not to join the conflict with Iran.
He said Israel’s patience with “terrorists” who threaten it had worn thin.
The head of Iran-backed Hezbollah, Naim Qassem, said on Thursday that the Lebanese group would act as it saw fit in the face of what he called “brutal Israeli-American aggression” against Iran.
