The Swiss Federal Departement of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) on Tuesday confirmed that a female employee at its embassy in Tehran had died after falling from a building.

"The FDFA and its head Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis are shocked by the tragic death and express their deepest condolences to the family," the department said in a statement. "The Department is in contact with the family of our employee. The Swiss Embassy is in exchange with the local authorities."

High-ranking diplomat

The FDFA told DW it was unable to provide further information at this stage. However, government-aligned Iranian news agencies ISNA and ILNA news agencies had earlier reported that the woman was a high-ranking diplomat.

The agencies said the woman, in her early 50s, fell to the ground from the high-rise building's 18th floor, where she had lived. Her body was reportedly found by a gardener.

Switzerland represents the diplomatic interests of Washington in Iran. The United States and Iran severed relations shortly after the Islamic Revolution in 1979.

rc/msh (AP, dpa)