Protester climbs Iranian embassy balcony in London, replaces regime flag with pre-1979 emblem | Watch

Protester scales Iranian embassy in London, tears down regime flag in viral video

• Protester replaced Iran's embassy flag in London with pre-1979 monarchy emblem
• Police arrested two for trespass and assault; searching for a third suspect
• Global protests and unrest in Iran draw increasing international attention

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An anti-regime protest at Iran’s embassy in London has drawn international attention after a demonstrator climbed the building’s balcony and replaced Iran’s official flag with the country’s pre-1979 “Lion and Sun” emblem, a symbol associated with the former monarchy.

Videos circulating online show the protester scaling the front of the embassy in Kensington, pulling down the Islamic Republic’s flag, and hoisting the historic emblem as a large crowd gathered outside cheered and chanted anti-government slogans. The footage quickly went viral on social media.

London’s Metropolitan Police said officers were called to the scene on Friday and made two arrests. One individual was arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass and assault on an emergency worker, while another was detained for aggravated trespass. Police said they are also searching for a third person in connection with trespassing. It remains unclear whether the individual who removed the flag was among those arrested.

Iran’s embassy in London did not immediately respond to requests for comment. However, it later posted an image on its official X account showing Iran’s national flag restored to its original position.

The London incident comes amid the most serious wave of unrest in Iran in years. Protests that began in late December over soaring inflation and economic hardship have spread nationwide, evolving into a direct challenge to Iran’s clerical leadership. Authorities have imposed widespread internet shutdowns, drawing criticism from international rights groups.

According to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), at least 72 people have been killed and more than 2,300 detained since the protests began, though other estimates place the death toll higher. Demonstrations inside Iran have featured chants calling for an end to the Islamic Republic, with some protesters openly backing the restoration of the monarchy.

Solidarity protests have also been reported in several European cities, including Paris and Berlin, as well as outside the White House in Washington, DC. British-Iranian journalist Potkin Azarmehr said international attention is significant for protesters inside Iran.

“What a contrast to Obama’s time, when protesters in Iran were chanting, ‘Obama, are you with us or with them?’” he told Fox News Digital. “Any international support, whether at the grassroots or government level, is encouraging.”

Former US President Donald Trump has also commented on the unrest, warning Iran’s leadership against using mass violence. “We’ll be hitting them very hard where it hurts,” Trump said at a recent press conference, adding that such action would not involve “boots on the ground.” He later posted on Truth Social: “Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before. The USA stands ready to help!!!”

As protests continue both inside Iran and abroad, authorities in Tehran face mounting pressure amid growing global scrutiny of their response to the unrest.