Assassination Plot Conspiracy in Denmark; Norwegian Foreign Minister Summons Iranian Ambassador

The Norwegian Foreign Ministry has summoned the Iranian ambassador to Oslo regarding a "conspiracy to commit assassination" on Danish soil, which is attributed to Iran's Ministry of Intelligence. According to the Norwegian news site "News in English," Ine Eriksen Søreide, the country's foreign minister, explained to Hassan Habibollahzadeh, the Iranian ambassador, how seriously Norway takes the accusation of the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence's involvement in the assassination of Tehran's opponents on Danish territory. The Danish Security Service reported on Tuesday that an Iranian-Norwegian citizen was arrested in Denmark on suspicion of collaborating with Iran's Ministry of Intelligence and attempting to attack members of the "Ahvaz Movement." On Thursday evening, November 10, the Norwegian Foreign Minister stated in an interview with NRK television: "We take this matter very seriously and today we sent a clear message to the Iranian ambassador." Søreide did not disclose the ambassador's response but emphasized the importance of conveying to Iran that Norway considers the issue serious. She added that the Norwegian police are cooperating with the Danish police in the investigation of the assassination plot on Danish soil. Reuters also published part of the Norwegian Foreign Minister's statement after summoning the Iranian ambassador, stating: "During this meeting, we made it clear that this action, which is under investigation in Denmark, is unacceptable." Søreide further noted: "We take the incident that occurred in Denmark very seriously, especially since an Iranian-Norwegian citizen is accused in this matter." Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg also deemed the intelligence agencies' attempt to carry out an assassination on foreign soil as "completely unacceptable." She stated on Wednesday after a meeting of leaders from five Scandinavian countries: "For us, this matter is very serious, especially because an Iranian-Norwegian has been involved in this conspiracy." She added that the Norwegian Foreign Minister would respond officially to Iran's actions after receiving information from her country's intelligence agency. Denmark also summoned the Iranian ambassador to its Foreign Ministry on Wednesday in response to the alleged "conspiracy" attributed to Iran's Ministry of Intelligence and recalled its ambassador from Tehran for consultations. Officials in Denmark emphasized that they are seeking a joint action within the European Union to sanction Iran. Norway was one of the five Scandinavian countries that expressed serious concern on Wednesday by signing a statement regarding what they called the Iranian security service's conspiracy to commit an assassination on Danish soil. These countries stated: "It is important for Scandinavian countries to stand shoulder to shoulder against the threats facing their societies." The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson denied the accusations, and Mohammad Javad Zarif, the Iranian Foreign Minister, claimed that the Israeli intelligence agency, Mossad, is behind this issue.