Protests against the Iranian government have spread to London after demonstrators climbed the balcony of the Iranian Embassy and took down the national flag. Meanwhile, the crisis in Iran worsens as protests enter their 13th day, with at least 50 people reported dead. Leaders of the UK, France, and Germany issued a joint statement urging the Iranian government to stop violence and restore freedoms to its people.
On Saturday (10 Jan), outside the Iranian Embassy in Kensington, London, one protester climbed onto the embassy's balcony amid cheers from hundreds gathered below. Footage showed the man pulling down the Iranian national flag from the top of the flagpole, though later the embassy re-hoisted the flag.
The Metropolitan Police of London reported arresting two protesters: the first charged with violent trespassing and assaulting an officer, and the second charged with trespassing. Authorities are also seeking a third individual suspected of trespassing on government property.
The atmosphere at the London protest was filled with flag-waving and chanting anti-Iranian government slogans. Many protesters held images of Prince Reza Pahlavi, the exiled crown prince and son of the late Shah of Iran, who was overthrown in the 1979 revolution. Protesters both in London and Iran are calling for his return to restore the monarchy.
The large-scale protests in Iran began over economic issues before escalating into the biggest demonstrations against the Islamic Republic government in years. Now entering their 13th day, human rights groups report at least 50 deaths. The Iranian government has cut nationwide internet access to control communications.
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei condemned the protesters as "rioters" and accused them of acting to please the U.S. president.
The violence has prompted UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to issue a joint statement expressing deep concern over Iran's security forces' actions. They stated, "The Iranian authorities are responsible for protecting their own people and must allow peaceful expression and assembly without fear of retaliation."
. SourceBBC