In a bold display of defiance, Iranian protesters have taken down the flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran from the country’s embassy in central London. The demonstrators, part of a growing movement challenging the Tehran regime, replaced the flag with the pre-Islamic revolution lion and sun flag, a symbol often used by opposition groups.
Footage circulating on social media showed a protester climbing onto the embassy’s balcony and removing the Iranian flag. The Iranian embassy later posted a picture on its X account, formerly known as Twitter, showing the flag back in place with the caption “Iran’s flag is flying high.”
The Metropolitan Police estimated that between 500 to 1,000 people attended the protest at its peak in Kensington. Two arrests were made, one for aggravated trespass and assault on an emergency worker, and another for aggravated trespass. Officers are also seeking another individual for trespassing.
The police stated that they “saw no serious disorder and officers will remain in the area to ensure the continued security of the embassy.”
Similar protests have been taking place outside Iranian embassies across the world, including in Berlin, where 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.
The demonstrations in Iran, which began on 28 December, have transformed into the most significant challenge to the regime in several years. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper praised the Iranian protesters, saying that those speaking out against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s government should not face “the threat of violence or reprisal.”
Cooper stated, “It takes real courage to speak up in an authoritarian system, especially for young women, but it should not require courage just to make your voice heard. These are fundamental rights: free speech; peaceful assembly; and the exercise of those rights should never come with the threat of violence or reprisal.”
The UK, France, and Germany have urged the Iranian authorities to listen to the protesters’ demands. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has also condemned the killing of protesters in the country and called on Tehran to “exercise restraint” amid the crackdown on demonstrations.
At least 62 people are reported to have been killed and 2,300 detained during the weeks of protests, which were initially sparked by anger over the country’s ailing economy. In response, Iran’s leaders have shut down access to the internet and international telephone calls.
The UK government has expressed deep concern over the reports of violence against protesters in Iran and is closely monitoring the situation.
