Norway's links to Iceland, Sweden, and iron ore

Keeping Norway neutral or defeating a German attack could reshape the war well beyond the Norwegian coast. Britain might no longer need to occupy Iceland because Germany would have a much harder route to the island. A secure Norway could also support a better Allied relationship with Sweden and obstruct the use of Swedish territory for German troop movements toward the Eastern Front. Swedish iron ore might flow to Britain instead of supporting Germany. Northern maritime geography connected naval operations to continental resources and campaigns.