Four people have been taken to hospital and a number of arrests made after a demonstration outside the Iranian embassy in London descended into violent disorder on Friday evening.
Police Officers Injured in Embassy Clashes
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that several of its officers sustained injuries during the unrest in South Kensington. The force reported that missiles were thrown at them as they attempted to control the situation. The London Ambulance Service was called to the scene at 8.45pm on Friday 17 January 2026.
In addition to the four individuals transported to hospital for treatment, paramedics assessed and discharged a further two patients at the location. Footage circulating on social media appeared to show that protesters were also hurt during the confrontations.
Protester Scales Building and Arrests Made
In a statement posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, the Met provided dramatic details of the incident. They reported that one protester managed to scale the embassy building, climbing across multiple balconies and removing the Iranian flag.
The individual was subsequently arrested on suspicion of criminal damage, trespass on diplomatic property and assaulting police. The police imposed a Section 35 dispersal order due to the ongoing disorder.
In a later update, the force stated: "A number of people have been arrested on suspicion of violent disorder. A significant police presence remains in place, including additional officers who have been deployed during the evening to prevent further disorder."
Background of Unrest in Iran
The London protest follows weeks of demonstrations in Iran, which were initially motivated by the country's ailing economy but grew to challenge the ruling regime itself. Those protests ended in violent repression.
According to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, the brutal handling of the demonstrations in Iran has left 3,090 people dead. Iranian state television, however, put the number at 300 in a report last Thursday.
In Tehran, there has reportedly been no sign of protests for days, with street life returning to an outward normality. A week-old internet blackout continues, and authorities have not reported any further unrest elsewhere in the country.
The Metropolitan Police investigation into the violent disorder in South Kensington continues.
