A protester accessed the balcony of the Iranian embassy in west London during a demonstration. Hundreds of individuals gathered outside the building, displaying flags and voicing anti-government slogans. The Metropolitan Police confirmed two arrests were made at the protest and stated they were seeking an additional individual for trespass.
Anti-government protests began in Iran on December 28, with reports from two human rights groups indicating at least 50 protester fatalities. Demonstrations against the Iranian government have taken place outside embassies globally.
On Saturday, the Met had deployed additional officers to the protest to mitigate potential disorder. Police confirmed the arrests of two individuals that evening: one for aggravated trespass and assault on an emergency worker, and another for aggravated trespass. Authorities stated the protest continued and was being safely policed, reporting no serious disorder. Officers were to remain in the area to ensure the embassy's security.
Footage from Saturday depicted a man on the embassy's balcony removing the Iranian flag. The embassy later showed the flag reinstated via its X account. Some demonstrators in Kensington displayed images of Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran's last shah, Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi, who was removed from power during the 1979 revolution. Many protesters in Iran advocate for Reza Pahlavi's return.