Seven Arrested After Violent Clash Outside Iran Embassy in London; UK Withdraws Staff from Tehran

LONDON: At least seven individuals were arrested following a violent altercation outside the Iranian embassy in London on Friday, which left two men injured, according to the Metropolitan Police.

Police said the clash erupted among a group of anti-regime Iranian protesters gathered outside the embassy in west London. The group had been demonstrating since Sunday, displaying flags of Iran’s former monarchy and Israeli flags, in opposition to the ruling clerical regime in Tehran.

The Met Police confirmed that the arrested men were held on suspicion of grievous bodily harm (GBH). Two victims were treated by paramedics and later hospitalized, though their injuries were reported as non-life-threatening.

In response, the police imposed a ban on further protests in the area, citing security concerns and public safety.

“The disturbance appears to have broken out within the group of protesters themselves,” police officials said.

One additional individual was arrested for violating the protest ban.

UK Withdraws Embassy Staff from Iran Amid Rising Tensions

Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East and the eighth day of the Iran-Israel conflict, the UK Foreign Office announced it had temporarily withdrawn its embassy staff from Tehran as a precautionary measure.

“Due to the current security situation, we have taken the precautionary measure to temporarily withdraw our UK staff from Iran. Our embassy continues to operate remotely,” the UK Foreign Ministry stated.

The move follows heightened fears over the broader regional fallout, as the United States considers its position in the intensifying crisis.