Pro-democracy protesters have clashed with police outside the Iranian embassy in London.
The Metropolitan Police issued an order demanding demonstrators vacate the area after those in attendance attempted to remove the regime’s flag from the diplomatic building and replace it with the colours used by the country prior to the Islamic Revolution of 1979.
Some protesters appeared to have been injured after confrontations with police officers.
A number of people have been arrested on suspicion of violent disorder, according to the Met Police.
In a statement, the capital’s police force added: “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.
“He has since been arrested by officers on suspicion of criminal damage, trespass on diplomatic property and assaulting police.
“A section 35 order has been imposed as a result of ongoing disorder, including missiles being thrown at officers. Several officers have suffered injuries.”
The Iranian flag on top of the embassy building has been targeted on multiple occasions in recent days.
Last weekend a protester successfully scaled the front of the building to replace the flag with the pre-Islamic revolution lion and sun standard.
Multiple arrests were made by the Met Police outside the Iranian embassy building
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Police has issued a Section 35 order, demanding Iran democracy protesters vacate the area
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Earlier this week, the Foreign Office rejected reports from Iran that the UK’s ambassador in Tehran Hugo Shorter was summoned over the flag incident, with sources insisting he merely “had a meeting” at the Foreign Ministry.
One anti-regime Iranian who was protesting outside the embassy on Friday night accused the Met Police of “shameful” actions more often seen by the dictatorship in Tehran than in London.
“London police violently suppressed the public after one anti–Islamic Republic protester raised Iran’s Lion and Sun flag. Men and women, young and old, were beaten with batons,” Niyak Ghorbani said.
“Tonight, the Metropolitan Police treated Iranian protesters in a manner reminiscent of the IRGC [Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps].
“These were peaceful protesters whose sole demand was the closure of an embassy that has become a hub for the Islamic Republic’s activities on British soil.
“This is shameful. The police deliberately provoked the crowd and then violently cracked down on them.
Some Iran democracy protesters were visibly injured after clashing with the Met Police
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“The Metropolitan Police have never treated Hamas supporters in this way not once.”
Another person in attendance also accused officers of being heavy-handed in their approach.
He said: “The armed police, they are hitting everyone here, women, men, children. Everyone.”
Demonstrators in London have been targeting the embassy as they protest in solidarity with those on the streets of towns and cities in Iran.
Thousands have been taking to the streets of Tehran and other parts of the Middle East country as they demand regime change in the Islamic Republic.
Those in the UK have also been demanding tougher action from Downing Street against the Iranian government.
This weekend, tens of thousands are expected to march through he centre of London calling on No10 to proscribe Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terror organisation.
Protesters are set to gather outside Broadcasting House on at 2pm on Sunday and march to Downing Street.