Norway moves some of its 60 soldiers in Middle East due to security situation


An Iranian newspaper with a cover photo of U.S. President Donald Trump, in Tehran, Iran, February 19, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS

COPENHAGEN, Feb 20 (Reuters) - ⁠Norway is relocating some of the around ⁠60 soldiers it has in the ‌Middle East to Norway as well as to other countries in the region on security grounds, a spokesperson for ​the Norwegian armed forces said ⁠on Friday.

U.S. President Donald ⁠Trump warned Iran on Thursday it must make ⁠a ‌deal over its nuclear program or "really bad things" will happen, setting a ⁠deadline of 10 to 15 days, drawing ​a threat ‌from Tehran to retaliate against U.S. bases ⁠in the ​region if attacked.

Norway declined to say how many soldiers it was relocating and which locations were ⁠affected.

"These are soldiers who have ​jobs like training local forces and other missions," Lieutenant Colonel Vegard Finberg from the Norwegian Joint ⁠Headquarters told Reuters.

"The way the situation is now, it's not possible for them to do their primary tasks, and that's why we are ​relocating them," he said, adding ⁠other nations had made similar moves in ​recent days.

Norway has forces stationed ‌in several sites in Iraq ​and other nearby countries.

(Reporting by Louise Rasmussen, editing by Terje Solsvik, Alexandra Hudson)

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Next In World

Australia sees no threat to US ties after White House criticism of social media reforms
Pilots considered aborting landing after touchdown in Miami cargo crash, NTSB says
US destroys five Iran oil tankers after attacks on American warship
With large crowds expected, Norway to lay King Harald to rest
New Mexicans deride Trump's 'New America' idea
Trump attributes state election win of Germany's far-right AfD to immigration rules
Family of slain 14-year-old girl sues pop vocalist D4vd over her death, reports say
Iran says it captured US submarine drone in Strait of Hormuz
U.S. stocks drop as Canada tariff escalation, higher oil prices weigh on markets
South Korea says Hormuz talks with France concern contribution options, not troop deployment

Others Also Read