Swiss foreign minister urges Iran to protect civilians

Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis has urged his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, to ensure the protection of civilians. During their meeting on Tuesday afternoon in Geneva, Cassis underlined the importance of respecting fundamental freedoms. + Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox The two ministers “acknowledged they held different views” on the high number of casualties and arrests following the recent crackdown on protests in Iran, the Swiss foreign ministry said on social media. At least several thousand people were killed during the demonstrations against Iran’s Islamic regime. + Escalation of violence in Iran tests Switzerland Cassis, meanwhile, welcomed the indirect talks between the US and Iran held in Geneva on Tuesday, with Oman acting as a mediator. He said he was encouraged by the prospect of a further round of dialogue between Washington and Tehran, even though no concrete plans for a meeting between the two countries’ leaders have been ...