Three Iraqi-born brothers arrested over Oslo embassy blast

In a high-stakes investigation that has captured global attention, police in Oslo arrested three brothers believed to be of Iraqi origin and now suspected of orchestrating a terrorist bombing at the US embassy over the weekend. The arrests were made around 3:30 PM local time on Wednesday.

Police Prosecutor Christian Hatlo outlined details from his press conference. “The brothers are Norwegian citizens who have been apprehended for suspicion of planning an act that resulted in minor damage but no injuries,” he stated. “We currently explore various hypotheses, including the involvement of government entities or criminal networks.”

Hatlo highlighted the complexity and significance of their case: “Considering the targeted nature — specifically the US embassy — and the prevailing security environment worldwide, this scenario is entirely plausible.” He emphasized that they aim to determine precisely what roles each brother played in the plot. “We believe one was directly involved in placing the explosive outside the embassy while another acted as accomplice,” he disclosed.

Hatlo’s comments underscored a broader context within Norway: “Our security service PST recently concluded its annual threat assessment, noting Iran could leverage ‘proxy actors’ such as criminal networks for acts of aggression. Notably, Iranian Ambassador Alireza Jahangiri denied any involvement by his nation in the incident.”

On Tuesday, Jahangiri stated to Verdens Gang that “it is utterly unacceptable” that Norway was being singled out, adding, “This kind of accusation undermines our mutual trust and commitment towards regional stability.”

The US embassy has experienced heightened alert levels in the Middle East following recent strikes on Iran. Several facilities have already faced attacks as Tehran retaliated with further violence against industrial and diplomatic sites.

Police provided a vivid account of what transpired: A minor explosion occurred at 1 AM (2 AM GMT) on Sunday at the entrance to the embassy’s consular section. Surveillance footage revealed a suspect dressed in dark attire, wearing a hood, and carrying a backpack. The following day, police found an alarming image from Google Maps that appeared to be of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

According to NRK, this video had been uploaded by someone who wrote, “God is great. We are victorious.” Police immediately launched investigations into both the bombing’s perpetrators and the individual responsible for uploading the disturbing content.

In a time where global tensions simmer, this incident raises serious questions about potential motivations behind acts of violence and the intricate web connecting criminal organizations to state-sponsored operations in international conflicts.