**Norwegian Guard at U.S. Embassy in Oslo Arrested for Espionage**

A Norwegian security guard employed at the United States Embassy in Oslo has been detained on charges of espionage, with allegations of sharing sensitive information with Russia and Iran. The individual, Mohamed Orahhou, age 27, was taken into custody at his Oslo residence on Wednesday, and a court has mandated that he remain in detention for four weeks while the investigation proceeds.

Authorities claim that Orahhou collaborated with an officer from Russia's S.V.R., the foreign intelligence service, as well as unspecified Iranian officials. Although the precise nature of the information shared remains undisclosed, the seriousness of the accusations has drawn considerable attention. Thomas Blom of Norway's Police Security Service emphasized the gravity of the situation and noted that the investigation is still in its early stages.

The arrest occurs against a backdrop of increased European vigilance regarding Russian espionage. Europe has experienced a rise in arson attacks, vandalism, and assaults, all allegedly connected to Russian operatives. Recently, there have been reports of a Russian scheme to place incendiary devices on cargo planes in Europe, prompting U.S. intelligence officials to advise American defense companies to be on high alert.

In addition to the Russian threat, Western nations have been increasingly wary of Iran's espionage activities. MI5 Chief Ken McCallum recently highlighted the dangers posed by Iranian-backed schemes, disclosing that British security services disrupted 20 such plots since January 2022. Furthermore, earlier this month, prosecutors in New York revealed an Iranian conspiracy to assassinate former President Donald J. Trump.

Orahhou's lawyer, John Christian Elden, acknowledged his client's interactions with Russian and Iranian intelligence personnel but questioned whether these actions met the legal threshold for espionage under Norwegian law. Elden also clarified that Orahhou lacked security clearance at the embassy and had no access to classified material.

In an intriguing twist, Orahhou is also identified as a student at the University of Tromso, where he pursued a bachelor's degree in security and emergency preparedness. This academic program delves into defense and security matters pertinent to Norway's Arctic region, an area of strategic importance due to its proximity to Russia.

This case echoes a prior incident from 2022, when Norwegian authorities apprehended Mikhail Mikushin, a Russian spy posing as a Brazilian researcher at the same university. Mikushin was later repatriated to Russia in a prisoner exchange that included Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan.

If convicted of espionage, Orahhou could face a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison under Norwegian law.