Police investigate explosion at Israeli embassy in Stockholm as serious weapon offenses

Police have refrained from detailing the discoveries made during the investigation, citing secrecy regulations. A police operation commenced around 6 PM on Tuesday evening at the Israeli embassy on Strandvägen in Stockholm following reports of a loud explosion. The case is being investigated as serious weapon offenses, endangerment, grave unlawful threats, and vandalism.

The police have implemented several security measures aimed at foreign embassies and various religious communities, attributing these actions to “global factors.” Specific details regarding these measures will not be disclosed, as sharing them could undermine their effectiveness. Gabriel Wernstedt, a spokesperson for Sweden’s Security Service (Säpo), did not comment on whether Säpo is involved in the ongoing investigation, referring inquiries back to the police. Generally, he noted, there is close cooperation between the police and Säpo, with information exchanged and mutual access to intelligence.

Heightened security around the Israeli embassy has been a priority following several incidents earlier this year. In June, a 15-year-old boy was convicted for serious weapon offenses after being arrested on May 16 with a loaded gun in a taxi en route to the embassy. A shooting occurred on the evening of May 17, which police were unable to prevent. In January, a grenade was thrown at the embassy but failed to detonate.

Israel’s intelligence agency, Mossad, has claimed that both the shooting and the grenade incident were orchestrated by Iranian operatives using Swedish gang criminals.