Switzerland's ambassador to Iran has been summoned in Tehran following the arrest in the US of a journalist working for Iranian state-rush Press TV news channel. Switzerland has been representing US interests in Iran since 1980. American citizen and Iranian resident Marzieh Hashemi was taken into custody on January 13 at the St Louis Lambert International Airport and transported to a Washington detention centre by the FBI. The reasons behind the arrest of the 59-year-old are not clear. Unsealed court documents indicate she is wanted as witness in a case that involves violation of US law. Markus Leitner,the Swiss ambassador, was summoned in Tehran on Tuesday as Switzerland represents US interests in Iran. Switzerland role as a “protecting power” or intermediary dates back to the 1980 hostage crisis when protestors occupied the US embassy in Tehran and took diplomats hostage. “An official protest note has been issued to the Swiss ambassador regarding the arrest and continued ...
Source: swissinfo.ch