Police officers were hurt and several individuals were detained as a demonstration outside the Iranian embassy in London became violent

17 January 2026 , 08:18

892     0

Police officers were hurt and several individuals were detained as a demonstration outside the Iranian embassy in London became violent

The Metropolitan Police has reported that a number of individuals have also been arrested on suspicion of violent disorder.

Several police officers were injured when a protest outside the Iranian embassy in London turned violent.

According to the Metropolitan Police, the clashes resulted in several arrests, with missiles being thrown at the officers.

Paramedics confirmed four people had been taken to hospital after the London Ambulance Service was called to the unrest in South Kensington at 8.45pm.

The Met said several of its officers had suffered injuries, with footage on social media appearing to show protesters were also hurt in the demonstrations on Friday.

Spectacular New Year fireworks light up London sky as huge crowds celebrate across UK for first time in three years

Protests outside the Iranian embassy in London. Pic: Supplied by Ana

It comes after weeks of protests in Iran ended in violent repression at the hands of the ruling regime. Initially motivated by the country's ailing economy, the demonstrations grew to challenge the ruling regime itself.

In a statement on X, formerly Twitter, the Met said one protester had been able to scale the Iranian embassy, climb across "multiple balconies" and remove its flag.

"He has since been arrested by officers on suspicion of criminal damage, trespass on diplomatic property and assaulting police," the post continued.

"A section 35 order has been imposed as a result of ongoing disorder, including missiles being thrown at officers. Several officers have suffered injuries."

In a subsequent update, the force wrote: "A number of people have been arrested on suspicion of violent disorder.

"A significant police presence remains in place, including additional officers who have been deployed during the evening to prevent further disorder."

In addition to those taken to hospital, paramedics assessed and discharged another two patients at the scene, the ambulance service said.

Robbie Williams poised to launch his own brand of energy drinks to rival Prime

In Tehran, there has reportedly been no sign of protests for days, with shopping and street life returning to outward normality.

A protester scales the Iranian embassy in London. Pic: Supplied by Ana

And with a week-old internet blackout continuing, the authorities haven't reported any unrest elsewhere in the country.

Nonetheless, the brutal handling of the demonstrations has left 3,090 people dead, according to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency.

Iranian state TV put the number at 300, according to a report on Thursday.

The prospect of US intervention also appears to have receded, days after Donald Trump pledged "help is on its way".

Iran's exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi urged the US president to make good on his pledge to help, describing him as "a man of his word".

James Turner