Violent clashes outside the Iranian embassy in South Kensington have left four people in hospital and a number of Metropolitan Police officers injured. The disorder, which erupted on Friday evening, saw missiles thrown at officers and led to multiple arrests for violent disorder and related offences.
Chaos in South Kensington
The Metropolitan Police confirmed they were called to the scene of a protest outside the Iranian diplomatic mission at 8.45pm on Saturday 17 January 2026. The demonstration quickly escalated into violence. Officers reported having objects thrown at them, with several sustaining injuries as a result.
The London Ambulance Service attended and confirmed that four individuals were transported to hospital for treatment. Paramedics also assessed and discharged a further two patients at the scene on Prince's Gate.
Flag Torn Down and Arrests Made
In a statement posted on X, formerly Twitter, the Met detailed one particularly brazen act. A protester managed to scale the embassy building, climb across multiple balconies, and remove the Iranian flag. The force stated: "He has since been arrested by officers on suspicion of criminal damage, trespass on diplomatic property and assaulting police."
Due to the ongoing violence, police imposed a Section 35 dispersal order in the area to clear the streets and prevent further trouble. In a subsequent update, the Met confirmed: "A number of people have been arrested on suspicion of violent disorder. A significant police presence remains in place."
Background: Echoes of Unrest in Iran
The London protest follows weeks of significant and brutally repressed demonstrations within Iran itself. What began as rallies against the country's ailing economy rapidly evolved into a direct challenge to the ruling regime.
According to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, the state crackdown in Iran has resulted in 3,090 deaths, though Iranian state television reported a figure of 300 in a broadcast last Thursday. A widespread internet blackout has made verifying events inside the country exceedingly difficult for over a week.
In Tehran, street life has reportedly returned to a surface-level normality with no visible protests for days, even as the digital blackout persists. The incident in London underscores how the internal crisis in Iran continues to resonate internationally, sparking strong reactions among the diaspora and supporters in global capitals.
