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Thousands of Swiss travellers stranded as Iran conflict escalates in 2026

Chaos grips Swiss travellers as explosions in Tehran force embassy closures. Will repatriation efforts succeed before tensions worsen?

The image shows a paper with a map of the Middle East and Israel, with text written on it against a...
The image shows a paper with a map of the Middle East and Israel, with text written on it against a black background.

Thousands of Swiss travellers stranded as Iran conflict escalates in 2026

The escalating conflict in Iran has left thousands of Swiss travellers stranded across the Gulf region. As of early March 2026, around 5,200 citizens remain unable to leave, with most registered in Doha, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Muscat.

The Swiss Embassy in Tehran has also suspended operations for five days amid worsening conditions in the country.

Explosions in Tehran forced Swiss Ambassador Olivier Bangerter and his team to take shelter in the embassy basement. The situation on the ground remains unstable, particularly due to severe disruptions in the power supply.

More than 6,600 Swiss nationals are currently registered on the Travel Admin app in the Gulf area. While exact per-country figures are unavailable, earlier data from the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (EDA) suggested around 4,000 were affected. An additional 1,000 Swiss travellers are stranded elsewhere in the Middle East.

The embassy closure has added to the challenges, leaving many without immediate consular support. Authorities continue to monitor the situation as tensions persist in the region.

With travel restrictions and safety concerns growing, Swiss officials are working to assist those stranded. The embassy's temporary shutdown and ongoing instability in Iran complicate efforts to repatriate citizens. Updates on evacuation plans are expected as conditions develop.

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