Four Metropolitan Police officers sustained minor injuries and 14 individuals were arrested following violent clashes outside the Iranian Embassy in London on Friday evening. The disorder, which saw missiles thrown at police, led to a significant police response in the upscale South Kensington district.
Chaos and Climbing: The Night's Events
The Metropolitan Police reported that a protest outside the diplomatic premises escalated into violence. Missiles were thrown at officers attempting to manage the situation, resulting in injuries to four members of the force. The London Ambulance Service was summoned to the scene on Prince's Gate at 8.45pm, with four people subsequently taken to hospital for treatment.
In a dramatic turn of events, one protester managed to illegally access the embassy building. The individual climbed across multiple balconies to reach the roof, where they removed the Iranian flag. Police have since arrested this person on suspicion of criminal damage, trespass on diplomatic property, and assaulting a police officer.
Police Response and Arrests
In total, 14 people were detained by the Met on suspicion of offences including violent disorder and trespass. To quell the ongoing unrest, officers imposed a Section 35 dispersal order, granting them powers to direct individuals to leave the area to prevent further anti-social behaviour or crime.
The force detailed the incident in a post on X (formerly Twitter), stating: “During the ongoing protest at the Iranian Embassy this evening, a protester illegally accessed private property and climbed across multiple balconies onto the roof of the Embassy and removed a flag. He has since been arrested by officers... A section 35 order has been imposed as a result of ongoing disorder, including missiles being thrown at officers. Several officers have suffered injuries.”
Background: Unrest in Iran Sparks Global Protests
The London demonstration is linked to weeks of significant protests within Iran itself, sparked by a severe economic crisis. The Iranian rial recently plunged to a record low of 1.42 million to the US dollar, fuelling an annual inflation rate of approximately 40%. While initially focused on economic hardship, the protests have evolved, with many participants chanting anti-government slogans and calling for political change.
The human cost inside Iran has been stark. According to the US-based Human Rights Activist News Agency, at least 2,637 people have been killed and around 20,000 arrested in the regime's crackdown. The situation prompted former US President Donald Trump to threaten military action, though such strikes have not materialised in recent days.
Adding to the tension, a nationwide internet blackout was reported in Iran on Thursday, 14 January 2026, by the monitoring group NetBlocks. This has severed communication for many Iranians abroad who are now unable to contact family members back home, further inflaming passions within the diaspora.
