President Guy Parmelin offers Swiss mediation and "solidarity" to Bahrain and Oman as regional conflict expands

President Guy Parmelin discusses the Middle East conflict with the leaders of Bahrain and Oman, offering Swiss mediation and urging a return to diplomacy.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 5, 2026, 5:59 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Keystone-SDA via SWI swissinfo.ch

High-Level Outreach to Gulf Monarchies

Swiss President Guy Parmelin conducted separate discussions with Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and Oman’s Sultan Haytham bin Tariq on March 4, 2026. During the exchanges, Parmelin conveyed Switzerland's support for the two nations, which have found themselves increasingly caught in the crossfire of the escalating war between Iran and the Western coalition. The President emphasized that the current cycle of violence, particularly strikes affecting civilian regions, necessitates an immediate cessation of hostilities and a transition back to the negotiating table.

Mediation and Neutrality

Switzerland has long served as a diplomatic bridge in the Middle East, notably representing U.S. interests in Tehran through its "protecting power" mandate. In his communications on the social media platform X, Parmelin formally offered the Swiss government’s support for any potential mediation efforts. He noted that the "attacks, which in many cases are directed against the civilian population, show that a return to diplomacy is essential." By positioning Switzerland as a neutral facilitator, Parmelin aims to utilize Bern's "special relationship" with Iran to prevent the conflict from devolving into an uncontrollable regional conflagration.

Humanitarian Concerns and International Law

The President reiterated Switzerland’s official demand that all warring parties respect international law "without restrictions." He expressed deep concern over the targeting of civilian infrastructure, which has seen disruption in cities across the Gulf, including Doha and Dubai. Parmelin's message to the leaders of Bahrain and Oman underscored the Swiss perspective that the protection of non-combatants is a non-negotiable legal obligation. This diplomatic push follows earlier exchanges on Sunday with representatives from the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, and Kuwait.