Iran has summoned the British ambassador in Tehran after the country’s national flag was torn down from the Iranian embassy in London. The incident occurred on Saturday when members of the Iranian diaspora gathered outside the embassy in Kensington to show support for ongoing protests in Iran. An anti-government activist climbed the wall, removed the Islamic Republic’s flag, and displayed Iran’s pre-1979 royal flag from the balcony above the main entrance.
The royal-era flag, featuring a lion and sun, is often used by Iranians abroad to protest the Islamic government. The embassy later restored the state flag, confirming on social media that “Iran’s flag is flying high.” The British ambassador was summoned after the Iranian Foreign Ministry delivered a “strong protest” over the incident, which was deemed a disrespect to the Iranian Embassy in London.
According to the semi-official IRNA News Agency, Alireza Yousefi, director general for Western Europe at Iran’s Foreign Ministry, met with the UK diplomat to express the protest. However, the UK Foreign Office denied that Ambassador Hugo Shorter was formally summoned, stating that he only “had a meeting” at the Foreign Ministry.
The incident occurred amidst ongoing protests in Iran, which began on December 28 after the national currency collapsed, triggering sharp increases in food and staple prices. The demonstrations quickly escalated into riots and clashes with security forces, reportedly resulting in hundreds of deaths. The protests have garnered international attention, with many Iranians abroad showing support for the movement.
London police made arrests for aggravated trespass and assault on an emergency worker following the incident. The Iranian government has been facing mounting pressure from the international community to address the concerns of its citizens and respect their rights to peaceful assembly and free expression. The incident at the Iranian embassy in London highlights the ongoing tensions between the Iranian government and its diaspora community, as well as the international community’s scrutiny of Iran’s human rights record.
