Police have made multiple arrests and deployed significant reinforcements following a major protest outside the Iranian Embassy in London, which saw a demonstrator scale the building and remove a flag.
Chaos at Princes Gate
The incident unfolded on the evening of Friday, 16 January 2026, at the embassy on Princes Gate in the affluent district of Kensington. According to the Metropolitan Police, the situation escalated when a protester illegally accessed private diplomatic property.
The individual climbed across several balconies before reaching the roof of the embassy building, where they removed a flag. This act prompted a significant police response to control the ensuing disorder.
Police Response and Injuries
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police confirmed that the climber was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage, trespass on diplomatic property, and assaulting police. In response to ongoing violence, which included missiles being thrown at officers, a Section 35 dispersal order was imposed in the area.
The force reported that a number of officers sustained injuries during the clashes. Additional officers were deployed throughout the evening to prevent further disorder. Several other individuals were also arrested on suspicion of violent disorder, with a substantial police presence remaining at the scene.
Broader Context of Iranian Unrest
The London protest coincides with ongoing, severe unrest within Iran itself. On the same day, the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency provided a stark update, reporting that the death toll from recent protests in Iran has reached approximately 3,090.
This figure surpasses the fatalities seen in any other major round of protests or civil unrest in Iran for decades, drawing comparisons to the turmoil of the 1979 revolution. The agency noted that the number continues to rise.
The events in Kensington highlight how international tensions and domestic crises can manifest in demonstrations on UK soil, presenting complex challenges for diplomatic security and public order policing.
