Oslo: Police in Norway said the explosion that occurred near the Embassy of the United States in Oslo was likely deliberate and may be linked to the ongoing crisis in the Middle East.

According to Qatar News Agency, head of the investigations unit at the Oslo Police District, Frode Larsen, stated during a press conference that the incident should be viewed in the context of the current security situation. He suggested it was likely an intentional attack targeting the US embassy.

Larsen added that police are searching for one or more suspects and are working closely with the embassy. He noted that one of the working hypotheses under investigation is that the act may constitute terrorism, while other possibilities are also being examined.

Earlier, police announced that a powerful explosion occurred near the embassy in Oslo in the early hours of Sunday. No injuries were reported, though the blast caused minor material damage.