Key Points
- Protests at the Iranian embassy in South London Kensington escalated from Friday 16th to Sunday 18th January 2026, drawing large crowds on Exhibition Road.
- Metropolitan Police (Met Police) issued a dispersal order after clashes, banning amplified equipment and crowd gatherings after 7 PM.
- 14 arrests made on Friday 16th January for offences including violent disorder, possession of an offensive weapon, assault of an emergency worker, criminal damage, and trespass on diplomatic premises.
- A demonstrator scaled the embassy balcony to remove the Iranian flag, echoing similar incidents from the previous week.
- Officers faced violence during an attempt to arrest the flag remover; protesters resisted, abused officers, and physically assaulted them, with four officers requiring medical treatment.
- Demonstrators and police officers sustained injuries, with footage showing baton strikes by police and bleeding wounds on protesters.
- Protests oppose ongoing brutality and killings by Iran’s theocratic regime; a human rights agency recorded 4,900 deaths as of Wednesday 21st January, while sources inside Iran cite up to 20,000.
- Iran has imposed a near-total internet shutdown since 8th January.
- First-year Imperial College London bioengineering student Pradeep Rajagopal witnessed about 80 protesters waving posters of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei crossed out in red, plus Lion and Sun flags, American flags, and Israeli flags.
- A British-Iranian Imperial student, speaking anonymously, noted social media rumours of Met Police violence against demonstrators, with WhatsApp warnings to stay safe.
- Heightened police presence and cordoned area remain outside the embassy as of Thursday 22nd January.
- Global solidarity protests occurred in cities like Toronto and Cologne.
- Imperial College London’s Alerts page warns of daily protests, increased police presence, and potential travel disruptions near 16 Princes Gate.
South Kensington (South London News) January 23, 2026 – Clashes between demonstrators and Metropolitan Police officers outside the Iranian embassy intensified over the weekend from Friday 16th to Sunday 18th January, resulting in injuries to both protesters and police, multiple arrests, and a dispersal order to curb further escalation.
What Triggered the Escalation at the Iranian Embassy?
The demonstrations erupted against the backdrop of continued brutality and killings of protesters in Iran by the country’s theocratic regime. As reported by FelixOnline, a widely-cited human rights agency documented a death toll of 4,900 people as of Wednesday 21st January, while sources from inside Iran reference a figure as large as 20,000 https://www.iranintl.com/en/202601223433?ref=felixonline.co.uk. Iran has enforced a near-total internet shutdown since 8th January, exacerbating reports of suppressed information.
Protests peaked on Friday 16th January when a demonstrator scaled the embassy’s balcony at 16 Princes Gate to remove the Iranian flag, mirroring events from the previous week. Officers attempted a lawful arrest, but faced resistance as a group blocked their efforts. In a statement, the Met Police said:
“Officers were faced with violence from protesters, after a group attempted to block the lawful arrest of a man for removing a flag.”
The statement continued:
“A number of people resisted arrest and subjected police to abuse, with some officers also physically assaulted. Four officers required medical treatment as a result.”
How Many Arrests Occurred and What Were the Charges?
Met Police arrested 14 people on Friday 16th January. Charges included violent disorder, possession of an offensive weapon, assault of an emergency worker, criminal damage, and trespass on diplomatic premises. The dispersal order followed, prohibiting amplified equipment and gatherings after 7 PM on Exhibition Road.
Footage published by media outlets captured clashes on Exhibition Road that evening, showing officers striking demonstrators with batons and some protesters with bleeding wounds https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByCcGFUyacU&ref=felixonline.co.uk. In response, the Met Police maintained a heightened presence, with a large cordoned-off area still in place as of Thursday 22nd January.
What Did Eyewitnesses Observe During the Protests?
First-year Imperial College London bioengineering student Pradeep Rajagopal witnessed the Friday scenes. He described a crowd of roughly 80 protesters waving posters of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei crossed out in red, as well as the Iranian opposition’s Lion and Sun flags, American flags, and Israeli flags.
A British-Iranian Imperial student, who chose to remain anonymous, told FelixOnline that rumours of violence against demonstrators by Met Police circulated on social media and WhatsApp groups. One message in an Iranian student group chat read:
“Just in case anyone’s planning on going to embassy in the next few nights, be careful. I know last week the police were very nonchalant, but it’s not the same case apparently based on the videos from last night. Stay safe.”
The student added:
“The Iranian community will continue to ask for justice and foreign intervention to stop the brutality and massacres happening inside the country, in the hopes of a brighter future for our people.”
Why Did Imperial College Issue Safety Alerts?
Imperial College London’s regularly updated Alerts page states:
“Please be aware that daily protests are currently taking place outside the Iranian embassy in South Kensington, 16 Princes Gate, which are drawing large crowds. For colleagues working from South Kensington Campus, please consider how this may impact your journey to and from work. You may notice an increased police presence in the area – this is precautionary, and the Security and Community Safety team are in contact with the police and other local institutions. If you have any questions or concerns, you can call the team or contact them via SafeZone in case of emergency”
https://www.imperial.ac.uk/alerts/?ref=felixonline.co.uk.
Are These Protests Isolated to London?
London is not the only city witnessing large-scale protests in solidarity with Iranians. Demonstrators braved wintry conditions in major cities worldwide, including notably vast crowds in Toronto and Cologne in recent days. These global actions underscore the international outrage over Iran’s reported crackdowns.
What Measures Has the Met Police Taken Post-Escalation?
Following the weekend unrest, Met Police issued a dispersal order to prevent further gatherings. Officers reported being subjected to abuse and physical assaults, with four requiring medical treatment. Protesters, meanwhile, sustained injuries visible in circulated footage. As of Thursday 22nd January, a heightened police presence and cordoned area persisted outside the embassy.
The protests highlight tensions between free expression and public order, with both sides reporting injuries. Demonstrators seek justice amid Iran’s dire human rights situation, while police enforce laws protecting diplomatic premises. Imperial College advisories reflect community impacts near the campus.
This coverage draws comprehensively from FelixOnline’s detailed reporting, ensuring all eyewitness accounts, official statements, and contextual details are attributed accurately. No additional media titles reported this specific incident as of the latest checks, but global parallels align with broader solidarity movements.
