The “Secret Fax Machine” in Tehran: How the Swiss Channel Keeps U.S. and Iran Talking
When people joke about geopolitics running on dusty fax machines, they are not entirely wrong, at least not in the case of U.S. and Iran crisis diplomacy. For more than forty years, when Washington and Tehran needed to pass a message without a public handshake, they turned to Switzerland, which has acted as the protecting power for U.S. interests in Iran since 1980. That role has included everything from quiet hand-delivered notes to an encrypted fax in a sealed room at the Swiss Embassy in Tehran.
What Exactly Is the Swiss Channel?
With no direct diplomatic ties between Washington and Tehran for over four decades, Switzerland has served as the neutral intermediary. The Swiss channel is the conduit through which sensitive communications about prisoners, sanctions, or military flashpoints have moved. It is not a Hollywood style red phone. It has been a discreet lifeline between two adversaries who rarely speak directly.
The Fax Machine That Made Headlines
In January 2020, after the U.S. strike that killed Iranian General Qassem Soleimani, tensions rose sharply. The United States sent an encrypted fax to a secure machine inside a locked room at the Swiss Embassy in Tehran. Switzerland’s ambassador then delivered the message to Iran’s foreign minister, a rapid exchange that helped prevent immediate escalation. This was not the first time the medium played a part in high stakes diplomacy. In 2003, Iran floated what became known as the “grand bargain,” a proposal to negotiate on everything from its nuclear program to relations with Israel, through a fax transmitted via the Swiss Embassy to Washington. The United States did not pursue it, but the episode reinforced the image of the Swiss fax as a symbol of backchannel diplomacy.
Why Use Fax in the Digital Age?
In an era dominated by encrypted messaging apps, why would officials still rely on a fax machine? In part because the format is low tech but high trust. A fax sent to a secure machine inside the Swiss Embassy provides a physical record, diplomatic protection, and avoids the cyber vulnerabilities of email or open digital platforms. In moments of crisis, those qualities matter more than speed or sophistication.
The Channel’s Continued Relevance
The Swiss channel has been used repeatedly in sensitive periods, including recent exchanges over nuclear talks and regional security. Even when Switzerland temporarily closed its Tehran embassy in mid 2025 due to local instability, Bern emphasized that its protecting power mandate for the United States remained in place, and the mission soon reopened. That continuity highlights the enduring importance of this quiet conduit, regardless of the technology involved.
The Larger Lesson
Whether by secure digital line, diplomatic pouch, or an apparently old fashioned fax, the medium itself matters less than the trust behind it. The Swiss fax machine remains a reminder that in the fog of geopolitics, sometimes the simplest and most reliable channels, supported by neutral intermediaries, are the ones that keep the world from spiraling into crisis.
📡 How the Swiss Channel Works
Here is a simplified view of how a message moves from Washington to Tehran through Switzerland:
