Protester pulls down national flag from Iranian embassy in London | Iran
A protester climbed onto the balcony of the Iranian embassy in central London and pulled down the country’s flag during an anti-regime demonstration.
Social media footage shows a man replacing the flag with the pre-Islamic revolution lion and sun flag frequently used by opposition groups in the country.
The Iranian embassy later posted a photo on account X of the flag being placed in place with the caption “Iran’s flag flies high.”
The Metropolitan police said an estimated 500 to 1,000 people attended the protest, which peaked in Kensington on Saturday.
Two arrests were made, one for aggravated trespassing and assault on an emergency worker, the other for aggravated trespassing. Police are also looking for another trespasser.
The force said: “We have seen no serious disturbances and officers will remain in the area to ensure continued security of the embassy.”
People demonstrating against the regime are gathering in front of Iranian embassies around the world. In Berlin, hundreds of people were seen waving Iran’s former imperial flag and carrying pictures of exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi as they marched through the German capital.
Demonstrations in Iran began on December 28 and have become the most significant challenge to the regime in the last few years.
Iranian protesters who took to the streets in the face of the violent repression of the Tehran regime were praised by Foreign Minister Yvette Cooper.
He said those who speak out against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s government should not face “threats of violence or retaliation.”
Cooper said: “In an authoritarian system, especially for young women, it takes real courage to speak up, but it shouldn’t take courage just to have your voice heard.
“These are fundamental rights: freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and the exercise of these rights must never come with the threat of violence or retaliation.
“This is why the UK, France and Germany made this statement and we call on the Iranian authorities to listen.”
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the killing of protesters in the country and called on Tehran to “exert restraint” amid a crackdown on demonstrations.
At least 62 people are reported to have died and 2,300 people have been detained in weeks of protests, initially fueled by anger over the country’s ailing economy.
Iranian leaders have shut down internet access and international phone calls in response to the protests.
A UK government spokesman said: “We are deeply concerned by reports of violence against protesters in Iran who are exercising their legitimate right to protest peacefully and are monitoring the situation closely.”
Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran’s former shah, called on protesters to take to the streets on Saturday and Sunday and take control of their towns. Pahlavi, 65, who lives in the United States, asked people on social media to raise the pre-1979 “lion and sun” flag used during his father’s rule.
He said the Islamic Republic would be brought “to its knees”, adding: “Our goal is no longer merely to come into the streets; the goal is to prepare to seize city centers and hold them.”
