Israel on Wednesday slammed Switzerland for signing a deal with Iran's state gas firm, branding the move an "unfriendly act" hampering efforts to halt its arch foe's nuclear programme.

The foreign ministry summoned the new Swiss ambassador, Walter Haffner, on the same day he presented his credentials, to express the Jewish state's "regret" over the deal, it said in a statement.

"Switzerland and the international community are aware of the danger from Iran. Israel expects Switzerland to adhere to the international efforts on this issue," the ministry said.

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"While the international community works to make Iran abandon its nuclear programme, Israel believes this is not the right moment for economic deals with Iran."

Swiss Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey signed the agreement with her Iranian counterpart Manouchehr Mottaki in Tehran on Monday.

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