Progress Party (FrP) leader Sylvi Listhaug reacts strongly after an explosion struck the United States Embassy in Oslo during the night leading into Sunday.
– It is serious and frightening that something like this happens in Norway, Listhaug says to TV 2.
– We hope the police find those responsible for the act, she adds.
The explosion went off at the consular entrance to the embassy at Huseby at around one o’clock during the night leading into Sunday. Witnesses report that the ground shook, and on Sunday morning there is visible damage to the building, with shattered glass and lamps knocked out of their fixtures.
The police responded with substantial resources, cordoned off Sørkedalsveien and searched with dogs, drone and helicopter for one or more perpetrators. The bomb squad and forensic technicians have examined the scene. No persons have been injured.
“Outsiders”
Minister of Justice Astri Aas-Hansen (Ap) described the explosion as “an unacceptable incident” in a statement to NTB, adding that “nothing indicates that the situation is dangerous for outsiders”.
The Police Security Service (Politiets sikkerhetstjeneste, PST) has called in additional personnel, but the threat level has so far not been changed. Prime Minister Støre has not commented.
Possible Iran connection
It is only days since PST issued a warning that there was an elevated risk of “Iranian actions in Norway”.
– We expect that Iranian intelligence and security services will carry out intelligence and influence operations in Norway in 2026, said senior adviser Eirik Veum of PST.
Only days before the explosion, the expert in international law Cecilie Hellestveit warned that Norway is exposed to Iranian retaliatory actions — and that Iran may choose to strike allies of the United States rather than the United States itself in order to avoid new American reprisals.
The police say they are so far unable to say anything about what may have motivated the perpetrator. Neither the United States Embassy nor the United States Department of State has commented on the incident.