They do both , when a country like USA takes the huff or gets kicked out of a country like Iran another neutral country , often Sweden takes over looking after that countries citizens . So when USA citizens get locked up in Iran Swiss diplomats go to visit them and try sort shit out.
Since the US does not have diplomatic or consular relations with Iran, the Swiss embassy serves as a protecting power on our behalf — i.e., the interests in question are US citizens, not politics/policy.
Countries that have broken off official diplomatic relations with one-another will often employ a third country to represent their interests, called a "protecting power." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protecting_power
So for instance until 2015 the Swiss Embassy to the US had a Cuban Interests Section that was staffed by Cubans. Similarly, the Swiss Embassy to Iran has an office staffed by Americans that provides consular services to US citizens in Iran.
Switzerland does this a lot bc of their famed neutrality.
as swiss: current gov has taken steps to make us subservient to USA and EU w the external affairs minister demonstrating a lack of spine: gave up bank secrecy and neutrality w sanctions & anti/hamas diplomacy, schengen loopholes, secret trade deal,etc
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Switzerland does this a lot bc of their famed neutrality.
we need rotation, 8 yrs too long @spschweiz.ch
yes