Anxious Swiss nationals in Gulf caught in limbo

Missile alerts, airspace closures and frantic phone calls from home: the escalation in the Middle East has left Swiss citizens in the region in a state of uncertainty. We spoke to three Swiss nationals, in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Oman. The escalation in the Middle East is affecting the Swiss community. Thousands of Swiss nationals live and work in the countries currently under attack by Iran. Since the weekend, Swiss nationals in the Middle East have been grappling with practical questions. How serious is the threat? Should we try to leave? When will it even be possible to do so? The Swiss foreign ministry is calling on Swiss nationals to follow the instructions issued by local authorities, to observe safety measures and to update their contact details via the online portal. No organised departures are planned at this stage. For emergencies, a 24-hour helpline is available in Bern. Swiss diplomatic representations in the affected countries have remained open and are ...