A demonstrator scaled the façade of the Iranian Embassy in London on Friday, replacing the Islamic Republic’s flag with the pre-revolutionary lion-and-sun banner in a bold act of defiance. The incident occurred as thousands of protesters gathered outside the embassy in Kensington, echoing ongoing mass demonstrations in Iran that pose the most significant challenge to the regime in years.
London’s Metropolitan Police deployed additional officers to monitor the gathering. Social media footage showed a man climbing onto the building's balcony to remove the official flag, hoisting the symbol associated with opposition groups in its place.
The protests in Iran, which began on December 28, were initially sparked by economic grievances but have since grown into broader anti-government demonstrations. Iranian authorities have responded with a severe crackdown, reportedly killing at least 62 protesters and detaining over 2,300, while imposing nationwide internet and telephone blackouts.
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer earlier this week condemned the violence and urged the Iranian government to “exercise restraint.”
The embassy itself carries historical significance—in 1980, it was the scene of a six-day siege that ended when SAS forces stormed the building, rescuing most of the hostages.
Friday’s demonstration in London reflects a growing international show of solidarity with protesters inside Iran, where citizens continue to demand political change despite escalating state repression.
0 Comments