IRGC Breaks Protocol, Summons Swiss Ambassador Amid Attack On Israel

Embassy of Switzerland in Iran serves as the Protecting Power of the USA in Iran since May 1980.
Embassy of Switzerland in Iran serves as the Protecting Power of the USA in Iran since May 1980.

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) summoned the Swiss ambassador during the attack on Israel, a New York Times report on Wednesday confirmed.

Mojtaba Abtahi, an adviser to the Iranian Interior Minister, previously claimed that the Swiss Ambassador was summoned to the IRGC instead of the Foreign Ministry at 3 a.m. during Iran's first ever direct attack on Israel.

Tehran launched 350 or more missiles and combat drones on Saturday night in retaliation for Israel's April 1 air strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, killing a senior IRGC-Quds Force commander and several IRGC personnel.

Israeli forces, backed by the US and other allies, stated that approximately 99% of the incoming threats were destroyed, while the few that survived caused only minor damage. As tensions in the region mount, Iran is preparing for possible retaliatory attacks either on its territories or its proxies.

Speaking to Swiss Ambassador Nadine Lozano, the IRGC apparently broke protocol and warned her that "The IRGC would destroy the entire region if the US took even the slightest action", showing the true political force of the IRGC in Tehran.

Since 1980 following the attack on the US embassy in Iran, Switzerland has played a crucial role in representing US interests in Iran. It serves as a go-between for US interests in Iran during escalating tensions. However, summoning an ambassador to a military base, a clear violation of diplomatic protocols, is a highly unusual event. As of now, Switzerland and the US have yet to respond to this breach of diplomatic norms.

Mojtaba Abtahi, who also holds the title of Secretary-General of the International Conference on Supporting Palestine Intifada, referred to the action of IRGC as simply "military diplomacy."

In recent years, the IRGC has developed a more significant influence within the Iranian government and has broadened its influence outside the military to include other fields, such as economics.