Violent disorder erupted outside the Iranian embassy in London on Friday evening, resulting in multiple injuries and arrests. The Metropolitan Police confirmed that several officers were hurt and four people required hospital treatment after missiles were thrown during the demonstration in South Kensington.
Police Officers Injured and Flag Removed
The Metropolitan Police reported that a significant protest outside the diplomatic premises escalated into serious violence. Officers came under attack, with projectiles thrown at them, leading to injuries within their ranks. Social media footage also indicated that some protesters sustained injuries during the clashes.
In a notable incident detailed in a statement on X, one individual managed to scale the embassy building, traversed several balconies, and removed the Iranian flag. The Met confirmed this person was later arrested on suspicion of criminal damage, trespass on diplomatic property, and assaulting police.
Multiple Arrests and Ongoing Police Presence
The London Ambulance Service was called to the scene on Saturday 17 January 2026 at 8.45pm. Paramedics conveyed four patients to hospital and assessed and discharged two others at the location.
Police imposed a Section 35 dispersal order due to the ongoing disorder. In a subsequent update, the force stated that "a number of people have been arrested on suspicion of violent disorder." A substantial police deployment remained in the area into the evening to prevent further unrest.
Background: Protests in Iran and International Reaction
The London demonstration follows weeks of significant protests within Iran, which were initially sparked by economic grievances but grew into a broader challenge to the ruling regime. Those protests were met with a severe crackdown.
According to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, the state's response in Iran has led to 3,090 fatalities, though Iranian state television reported a figure of 300. A widespread internet blackout has persisted in Iran for over a week, with authorities reporting no recent unrest and daily life in Tehran appearing superficially normal.
The prospect of direct US intervention, hinted at by former President Donald Trump's pledge of help, appears to have receded. Iran's exiled Crown Prince, Reza Pahlavi, has publicly urged President Trump to honour his promise, calling him "a man of his word."
