--- description: Norwegian police arrested three brothers on suspicion of a “terrorist bombing” at the U.S. Embassy in Oslo, one of a string of security incidents at American diplomatic missions. title: What to Know About Recent Attacks on U.S. Diplomatic Missions image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt4ec28e999d55ae7c/69b107762c8ca945e414d0f9/toronto_shooting.jpg?branch=production&width=2400&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  * [World](/section/world/) ## World Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close * [Crime](/tag/crime/) ## Crime Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close # What to Know About Recent Attacks on U.S. Diplomatic Missions in Norway, Canada  by [Miranda Jeyaretnam](/author/miranda-jeyaretnam/)  ## Miranda Jeyaretnam Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Reporter Mar 11, 2026 6:30 AM CUT  Toronto police secure the area after shots were fired outside the U.S. Consulate in Toronto, Canada, on March 10, 2026. Toronto police secure the area after shots were fired outside the U.S. Consulate in Toronto, Canada, on March 10, 2026.Mert Alper Dervis—Anadolu/Getty Images  by [Miranda Jeyaretnam](/author/miranda-jeyaretnam/)  ## Miranda Jeyaretnam Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Reporter Mar 11, 2026 6:30 AM CUT Norwegian authorities said Wednesday that three brothers – Norwegian citizens with connections to Iraq – had been arrested on suspicion of a “terrorist bombing” at the U.S. Embassy in Oslo Sunday that investigators suspect could have been ordered by a [foreign state actor](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2grl7lrrmo "undefined"). The arrests come a day after a shooting at the U.S. Consulate in Toronto that Canadian authorities are treating as a “national security incident.” Toronto police haven’t ruled out a possible link to a recent string of shootings at synagogues in the city. No one was injured in either incident. But they have authorities worried about the potential spread of violence as people react to the war with Iran. The U.S. State Department has [recalled diplomatic staff](https://time.com/7293392/us-embassy-iraq-iran/ "undefined") across the Middle East and heightened security at embassies as suspected [retaliatory strikes](https://time.com/7381884/iran-missiles-dubai-palm-gulf/ "undefined") against the U.S. and Israel by Iran hit the areas of U.S. diplomatic buildings in [Dubai](https://time.com/7382378/iran-war-us-consulate-drone-strike-retaliatory-attacks/ "undefined"), [Riyadh](https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/iranian-drones-strike-u-s-embassy-in-saudi-arabia-as-war-widens "undefined"), [Baghdad](https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/drone-strike-hits-us-diplomatic-facility-iraq-reports-washington-post-2026-03-11/ "undefined"), and [Kuwait City](https://www.politico.com/news/2026/03/05/us-kuwait-embassy-closes-iran-00815119 "undefined"). **Read More:** [The U.S. and Israeli War With Iran, Explained](https://time.com/7382631/iran-israel-us-war-explainer-trump-middle-east/ "undefined") Authorities were called to the consulate in Toronto after a witness reported gunshots early Tuesday. Investigators found “evidence of a firearm discharge, shell casings as well as damage to the building,” Toronto Police Deputy Chief Frank Barredo told reporters. Royal Canadian Mounted Police Chief Superintendent Chris Leather said at a [press briefing](https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1640376547134511 "undefined") in Toronto that the investigation is in its early stages and that investigators are still determining the motive. National security and counterterrorist forces are assisting with the investigation. Leather said security will be increased at diplomatic missions in Toronto and Ottawa, including U.S. and Israeli embassies, as a result of “incidents that have occurred here in Toronto and elsewhere.” “These consulates deserve a heightened amount of vigilance and security at this time in the hopes that we can bring the temperature down in the coming days and weeks,” he added. Here’s what to know about the attacks on U.S. diplomatic missions in recent days. ## Toronto shooting investigated as “national security incident” Two men emerged from a white Honda CRV in front of the U.S. consulate early Tuesday and fired what appeared to be a handgun at the front of the building before fleeing in the vehicle, Barredo [said](https://www.tps.ca/media-centre/stories/suspects-sought-in-consulate-investigation/ "undefined"), citing evidence from witnesses. Barredo said there were people inside the building but no one was injured. “This building is highly secure, highly fortified,” he said. He added that staff inside the building may not have noticed the gunfire because of its fortifications. The city’s Integrated Gun and Gang Task Force is leading the investigation, according to authorities. Members of the public with video footage or who witnessed suspicious activity in the area are being asked to come forward. Police have not ruled out a possible connection between the shooting and a [recent string of shootings](https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/jewish-community-reaction-synagogue-shootings-9.7119616 "undefined") at synagogues in the Toronto area, Leather said. At a separate press briefing, Ontario Premier Doug Ford [suggested](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-%5F%5F-F-GHG2I "undefined") that Iranian “sleeper cells” could be responsible for the shootings, including the latest. “I believe there are sleeper cells all over the world. As we know, they’re in the U.S., they’re in Canada,” Ford said. “We have to weed these people out and hold them accountable.” Leather said he does not have information at this time “on any sleeper cells that may or may not exist in Canada.” He added that the investigation has yet to determine whether the shooting will be considered terrorism. “It’s definitely a national security incident, because we had the U.S. Consulate, after all, struck by gunfire,” he said. Barredo told reporters that the U.S. and Israeli consulates have been the sites of protests due to “geopolitical events.” There have been several demonstrations outside the Israeli consulate in Toronto [protesting Israel’s bombardment of Gaza](https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/protesters-gather-near-israeli-consulate-in-toronto-after-world-courts-genocide-case-ruling/article%5Fa732ee94-bc41-11ee-8169-179878e86731.html "undefined") over the past two years. Demonstrators also [protested the Iran war](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvCceguAr48 "undefined") outside the U.S. consulate last week after the [assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei](https://time.com/7381950/iran-war-khamenei-strikes-tehran/ "undefined") in the U.S.-Israeli bombings. A crowd also [gathered in January](https://www.ctvnews.ca/toronto/video/2026/01/13/rally-outside-of-the-us-consulate-demands-iran-regime-change-2/ "undefined") outside the U.S. consulate to protest against the Iranian regime and call for U.S. President Donald Trump to intervene in the Iranian government’s [crackdown on protests](https://time.com/7381829/iran-supreme-leader-ali-khamenei-dead/ "undefined").  Hundreds of people protest the Iranian government’s crackdown outside the U.S. Consulate in Toronto, Canada, on Jan. 13, 2026. Nick Lachance—Toronto Star/Getty Images Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney [called](https://x.com/MarkJCarney/status/2031411863074775444 "undefined") the shooting “a reprehensible act of violence and attempt at intimidation.” Investigators will “ensure that the perpetrators of these violent acts are identified and brought to the full weight of justice,” he added. U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra said in a [post](https://x.com/USAmbCanada/status/2031463214626779287?s=20 "undefined") on X the shooting was “deeply troubling” and that his “team is in close contact with Toronto Police and Canadian authorities.” “Our work continues, we will not be intimidated,” Hoekstra said. ## Explosion at U.S. consulate in Oslo investigated as act of terrorism Police in Norway are investigating an explosion that happened outside the U.S. Embassy in Oslo at around 1 a.m. local time on Sunday. No one was injured in the blast, although the building sustained minor damage, authorities said. Police said investigators are considering whether the bombing was a “targeted attack.” Police prosecutor Christian Hatlo [told reporters Wednesday](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/11/three-norwegian-brothers-arrested-us-embassy-blast-oslo "undefined") that the motive is still not clear, although police are investigating whether the trio were acting on the orders of a government entity. The three brothers, aged in their 20s, were not previously known to police. In an [update](https://www.politiet.no/nyheter-og-presse/oslo/nyhet/2026-03-08/information-in-english-regarding-the-attack-on-the-us-embassy-in-oslo "undefined") Monday, police said the explosion appeared to have been caused by an improvised device placed at the entrance to the building. Police also said there was a since-deleted video published on Google Maps around the time of the incident, which [reportedly](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-03-09/norway-police-probe-if-ayatollah-video-tied-to-us-embassy-blast?srnd=homepage-europe "undefined") depicted Khamenei, alongside text in Farsi that read, “Allah is great, we are winning.” ## Heightened tensions, violence amid Middle East war The [U.S. and Israel’s war against Iran](https://time.com/article/2026/03/10/iran-war-trump-us-israel-regime/ "undefined") has inflamed tensions around the world. People have taken to the streets in the U.S. and beyond, with some celebrating the death of Khamenei and calling for regime change, and others protesting the war and [mourning over a thousand](https://time.com/7382536/iran-civilians-killed-girls-school/ "undefined") killed so far. **Read More:** [How Americans Feel About Trump’s War With Iran, According to the Latest Polls](https://time.com/7382231/iran-us-israel-war-support-polling-trump-republicans-democrats/ "undefined") In Karachi, Pakistan, 11 people were killed and dozens injured after U.S. Marines [fired on protesters](https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/us-marines-fired-protesters-storming-consulate-karachi-officials-say-2026-03-03/ "undefined") storming the U.S. Consulate last weekend. The protesters, some of whom [reportedly](https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/iran-israel-us-strikes-2026/card/u-s-marines-fire-on-protesters-in-karachi-pt1L3kaX1WsKliYRT66M "undefined") carried Iranian-backed paramilitary Hezbollah flags, tried to enter the consulate grounds. An official told the _Wall Street Journal_ that the Marines opened fire on the crowd in accordance with their training. The State Department has [faced criticisms](https://x.com/RepGregoryMeeks/status/2030842706642055459?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet "undefined") over its handling of evacuations and security for Americans in the region. The department [recalled](https://apnews.com/article/embassies-iran-war-middle-east-travel-warning-62417bfba49fb712b44998be29aeb850 "undefined") more non-essential personnel and families from consulates in Saudi Arabia and Turkey this week, leaving 10 consulates in the region with reduced staffing. Two days into the war, the department urged all Americans in 14 countries across the Middle East to [leave immediately](https://time.com/7382217/iran-us-middle-east-state-department-advisory-travel-safety-evacuate/ "undefined"), initially asking people to depart on commercial flights despite closed airspaces, flight cancellations, and reduced flight schedules complicating travel. Following [initial criticism](https://x.com/tedlieu/status/2028884451372286343?s=20 "undefined") that the State Department was [not providing](https://x.com/FmrRepMTG/status/2028820165270393109?s=20 "undefined") sufficient government assistance to Americans [stranded in the region](https://x.com/SenatorAndyKim/status/2028818636668874896?s=20 "undefined"), the department said on Monday that it [assisted more than 23,000 people](https://www.state.gov/releases/office-of-the-spokesperson/2026/03/statement-from-assistant-secretary-dylan-johnson-on-successful-operations-to-assist-american-citizens-in-the-middle-east-3/ "undefined") with guidance or travel assistance, including U.S.-organized charter flights. At least 36,000 Americans have returned to the U.S. since Feb. 28, the department said. Most Americans who requested assistance declined it when offered, the department added. ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/article/2026/03/11/us-embassy-toronto-canada-oslo-consulates-shooting-attack-explosion/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/article/2026/03/11/us-embassy-toronto-canada-oslo-consulates-shooting-attack-explosion/"},"headline":"What to Know About Recent Attacks on U.S. Diplomatic Missions in Norway, Canada","datePublished":"2026-03-11T06:30:15.000Z","dateModified":"2026-05-19T07:44:53.529Z","description":"Norwegian police arrested three brothers on suspicion of a “terrorist bombing” at the U.S. Embassy in Oslo, one of a string of security incidents at American diplomatic missions.","url":"https://time.com/article/2026/03/11/us-embassy-toronto-canada-oslo-consulates-shooting-attack-explosion/","keywords":["Crime","Canada","Terrorism","overnight","News Desk"],"thumbnailUrl":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt4ec28e999d55ae7c/69b107762c8ca945e414d0f9/toronto_shooting.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Miranda Jeyaretnam","jobTitle":"Reporter","url":"https://time.com/author/miranda-jeyaretnam/"}],"articleSection":"World","image":[{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt4ec28e999d55ae7c/69b107762c8ca945e414d0f9/toronto_shooting.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","width":1200,"height":675,"headline":"toronto shooting.jpg","caption":"","creditText":"Mert Alper Dervis—Anadolu/Getty Images","representativeOfPage":true}],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time","url":"https://time.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://time.com/images/logo.png","width":528,"height":156},"foundingDate":"March 3, 1923","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/time","https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en","https://twitter.com/time","https://www.pinterest.com/timemagazine"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"/section/world/","name":"World"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"/tag/crime/","name":"Crime"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/article/2026/03/11/us-embassy-toronto-canada-oslo-consulates-shooting-attack-explosion/","name":"What to Know About Recent Attacks on U.S. Diplomatic Missions in Norway, Canada"}}]}] ```