Iran summons UK ambassador after embassy flag torn down in London
The incident took place on Saturday when members of the Iranian diaspora gathered outside the embassy in Kensington to express solidarity with demonstrations inside Iran. During the rally, one activist scaled the wall, removed the Islamic Republic’s flag, and replaced it with the pre-1979 royal banner featuring the lion and sun emblem, which was hung from the balcony above the main entrance.
That royal-era symbol is frequently used by Iranians abroad to signal opposition to the current government. The embassy later restored its flag and posted online: “Iran’s flag is flying high.”
Iran’s Foreign Ministry said the British envoy was called in after “the Iranian Embassy in London was disrespected by displacing the Iranian flag.” Alireza Yousefi, the ministry’s director-general for Western Europe, delivered what was described as a “strong protest” to the UK representative.
British officials, however, rejected claims that Ambassador Hugo Shorter was formally summoned, saying instead that he attended a meeting at the ministry. Meanwhile, London police confirmed arrests were made for aggravated trespass and assault on an emergency worker in connection with the incident.
The unrest inside Iran began on December 28 following the collapse of the national currency, which drove up prices of food and essential goods. Protests quickly spread, turning into riots and violent clashes with security forces, with reports indicating hundreds of fatalities.
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