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By Brendan Cole
Senior Reporter
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The U.S. embassy in Sweden has warned American citizens to "exercise heightened situational awareness" following a security incident in neighboring Norway on the weekend.
The U.S. mission in Stockholm issued a statement reminding U.S. citizens "to maintain good personal security practices," and warned that "terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in Sweden."
"Terrorists may attack with little or no warning," the statement added, referring to potential targets including tourist locations, transportation hubs, shopping malls and other public areas.
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It said that there had been sudden demonstrations or protests near the embassy, whose employees are advised to exercise caution when travelling to and from work, and to report any suspicious activity to security officials.
"Visitors to the U.S. Embassy, including U.S. citizens and visa applicants, should do the same," the alert said. "Protests may begin unexpectedly and without warning."
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Norway Attack
The message came after Norwegian police said that an explosion at the U.S. embassy in Oslo on Sunday may have been an act of terrorism. No injuries were reported in the incident and an investigation is ongoing into whether it was linked to the U.S. strikes on Iran as part of Operation Epic Fury.
The blast occurred at 1 a.m. Sunday with eyewitnesses reporting thick smoke in the street by the entrance of the consular section.
Norwegian police said no suspects had been identified, but police are searching for one or several perpetrators. "One of our hypotheses is that this is terrorism," Frode Larsen, head of the Oslo police investigation, told the public broadcaster NRK.
The U.S. State Department has previously warned all Americans to exercise increased caution while traveling abroad as the war unfolds.
"Americans worldwide and especially in the Middle East should follow the guidance in the latest security alerts issued by the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate," the State Department announced, adding that Americans should "exercise increased caution."
Americans have been advised to immediately leave 14 countries in the Middle East using commercial transportation due to serious safety risks.
The advisory lists Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, the occupied West Bank and Gaza, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.
Americans have been advised to follow U.S. embassy's communications closely, enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, and avoid locations where foreigners tend to gather, such as hotels and restaurants.
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