GENEVA, March 11 (Xinhua) -- Switzerland has decided to temporarily close its embassy in Tehran due to rising security risks in the Middle East, while maintaining an open line of communication between the United States and Iran, the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) said Wednesday.

The FDFA stated that four Swiss employees left Iran on March 3. Ambassador Olivier Bangerter and the remaining five other Swiss employees left the country by land earlier on Wednesday. They will return to Tehran as soon as the situation allows.

"As part of its good offices, Switzerland will continue to maintain an open line of communication between the United States and Iran, in consultation with the two countries," the department said.

Both the United States and Iran were informed of the temporary closure of the embassy and the departure of the Swiss staff. "Switzerland will continue to be available to channel communications that the parties consider useful," it added.