14 people arrested at Iranian embassy demonstration that left four officers injured
Fourteen people were arrested following an anti-government demonstration outside the Iranian Embassy in London on Friday.
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One protester climbed across multiple balconies onto the roof of the embassy in South Kensington where they removed a flag, the Metropolitan Police said on Friday night.
He has since been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage, trespass on diplomatic property and assaulting police.
Several others were arrested on suspicion of violent disorder.
A section 35 order was imposed as a result of the disorder, which included missiles being thrown at officers.
Harsh repression that has left several thousand people dead appears to have succeeded in stifling the demonstrations in Iran, which began on December 28 over the ailing economy and soon morphed into protests directly challenging the country's theocracy.
The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency on Friday put the death toll, which continues to rise, at 2,797.
A Met spokesperson said: “During the a protest at the Iranian Embassy on Friday, 16 January, a protester illegally accessed private property and climbed across multiple balconies onto the terrace of the Embassy and removed its flag.
"An effort was made by a group of protestors to prevent his lawful arrest, and dispersal tactics were used by officers to ensure the safety of those concerned and prevent further disorder.
“Officers were able to arrest the man on suspicion of criminal damage, trespass on diplomatic property and assaulting police. He remains in police custody.
“A further 13 arrests were made for several offences, including violent disorder, assault of an emergency worker, criminal damage and trespass on diplomatic premises.
“Four officers sustained minor injured during the incident.”
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.
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) January 16, 2026
He has since been arrested by officers on suspicion of criminal damage, trespass…
Days after US President Donald Trump pledged "help is on its way" for the protesters, both the demonstrations and the prospect of imminent US retaliation appeared to have receded.
One diplomat told the Associated Press that top officials from Egypt, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Qatar had raised concerns with Mr Trump that a US military intervention would shake the global economy and destabilise an already volatile region.
Yet the Trump administration has warned it will act if Iran executes detained protesters. Iran and the US traded angry accusations on Thursday at a session of the United Nations Security Council, with US ambassador Mike Waltz saying that Mr Trump "has made it clear that all options are on the table to stop the slaughter".