Iran protesters break into UK embassy in Tehran

L.K.Eder · Nov 29, 2011

BBC News - Iran protesters break into UK embassy in Tehran

High_Gravity · Nov 29, 2011

Iran: U.K. Embassy Stormed

TEHRAN, Iran Hard-line Iranian students stormed the British diplomatic compounds in Tehran on Tuesday, bringing down the Union Jack flag and throwing documents from windows in scenes reminiscent of the anger against Western powers after the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

The mob surged past riot police into the British Embassy compound which they pelted with petrol bombs and stones two days after Iran's parliament approved a bill that reduces diplomatic relations with Britain following London's support of recently upgraded Western sanctions on Tehran over its disputed nuclear program.

Less than two hours later, police appeared to regain control of the site. But the official IRNA news agency said about 300 protesters entered the British ambassador's residence in another part of the city and replaced British flags with Iranian ones. The British Foreign Office harshly denounced the melee and said Iran has a "clear duty" under international law to protect diplomats and offices.

"We are outraged by this," said the statement. "It is utterly unacceptable and we condemn it."

It said a "significant number" of protesters entered the compound and caused vandalism, but gave no other details on damage or whether diplomatic staff was inside the embassy, although the storming occurred after business hours.

The semiofficial Mehr news agency said embassy staff had left the compound before the mobs entered, but it also said those who occupied the area had taken six staff as hostages. It did not give their nationalities and the report could not immediately be confirmed.

The protesters broke through after clashing with anti-riot police and chanting for its takeover. "Death to England," some cried in the first significant assault of a foreign diplomatic area in Iran in years. More protesters poured into the compound as police tried to clear the site.

Smoke rose from some areas of the embassy grounds and the British flag was replaced with a banner in the name of 7th century Shiite saint, Imam Hussein. Occupiers also tore down picture of Queen Elizabeth II.

The occupier called for the closure of the embassy calling it a "spy den" the same phrase used after militants stormed the U.S. embassy in Tehran in 1979 and held 52 hostages for 444 days. In the early moments of the siege, protesters tossed out papers from the compound and hauled down the U.S. flag. Washington and Tehran have no diplomatic relations since then.

The rally outside the British Embassy on a main street in Tehran downtown included protesters carrying photographs of nuclear scientist Majid Shahriari, who was killed last year in an attack that Iran blamed on Israeli and British spy services.

Outside the embassy, students from some universities and seminaries burned British flags on fire as clashing with police.

State TV reported that another group of hard-line students gathered at the gate of British ambassador's residence in northern Tehran, at the same time.

Britain's Foreign Office said it was in contact with embassy officials. Officials were still checking on the well-being of workers and diplomats, a spokeswoman said on condition of anonymity in line with standing policy.

Tensions with Britain date back to the 19th century when the Persian monarchy gave huge industrial concessions to London, which later included significant control over Iran's oil industry.

But they have become increasingly strained as the West accuses Iran of trying to develop nuclear weapons a charge Tehran denies.

In recent years, Iran was angered by Britain's decision in 2007 honor author Salman Rushdie with a knighthood.
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Iran: U.K. Embassy Stormed

JStone · Nov 29, 2011

allah-approved.

High_Gravity · Nov 29, 2011

The Iranians are backing themselves further into a corner by behaving this way, they have no respect for diplomats at all, I don't know who in their right mind would have an embassy there they have shown time and time again they have no respect for them.

zzzz · Nov 29, 2011

I figure the protesters went a little further than was intended by the Ayatollahs. Maybe not since the British are seen as paper tigers by Iran.

Still it is a disturbing event that Assad may try in Syria.

High_Gravity · Nov 29, 2011

zzzz said: ↑

I figure the protesters went a little further than was intended by the Ayatollahs. Maybe not since the British are seen as paper tigers by Iran.

Still it is a disturbing event that Assad may try in Syria.
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Good thing we closed down our embassy and evacuated our staff out of Syria than.

zzzz · Nov 29, 2011

High_Gravity said: ↑

zzzz said: ↑

I figure the protesters went a little further than was intended by the Ayatollahs. Maybe not since the British are seen as paper tigers by Iran.

Still it is a disturbing event that Assad may try in Syria.
Click to expand...

Good thing we closed down our embassy and evacuated our staff out of Syria than.
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Since Assad has said that the Arab Leagues decision to impose sanctions is an act of war I was thinking he might have rioters take over fellow Arab embassies. I think most western nations have evacuated Syria although the Russians are still there but they are Syria's only friend now. (maybe the Chinese too)

Ropey · Nov 29, 2011

Ayatollah versus Achmadinejad

This is Achmadinejad's response to the Ayatollah's machinations regarding the nuclear weapons program.

So far, it looks as though the Ayatollah is winning.

http://www.usmessageboard.com/iran/196219-huge-blast-heard-in-isfahan-iran.html#post4469283

alexa · Nov 29, 2011

Oh I am soooooooo fed up with this testosterone posturing

Police only appeared to have regained control of both compounds by late evening, when the Tehran police chief, Hossein Sajedinia, announced that they had been emptied of protesters, and that some would be prosecuted. Iran's foreign ministry issued a statement expressing regret over the "unacceptable behaviour by [a] few demonstrators" and promising an investigation.

In London, David Cameron chaired a meeting of the cabinet's emergency committee, COBR, and the foreign secretary, William Hague, threatened "serious consequences" for the embassy invasion, which he described as "a very serious failure by the Iranian government". He is due to make a statement to parliament on Wednesday. A Foreign Office source said Britain's response would be "clear and robust".

Cameron said on Tuesday: "Those responsible for this criminal attack must be prosecuted. The Iranian government must recognise that there will be serious consequences for failing to protect our staff. We will consider what these measures should be in the coming days."
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Storming of British embassy in Tehran worsens bilateral relations | Politics | The Guardian

We have already banned anyone from doing any business with them from the UK. I don't know how much business we have with them but it sounds pretty severe particularly as it is not even known if they are making nukes.

In the UK we are now going to make twice as many public sector workers redundant as originally planned as Con's coalition plans for recovery have got absolutely nowhere, we are cutting the salaries of those left in real terms, we are cutting their pensions in real terms we are freezing working class credit and we have been told this might just go on ...forever, so I guess maybe they are thinking a little killing in Iran may take people's thought's away.

Yes, a commotion but thankfully no one was hurt. By banning all trade with Iran we have effectively stopped all communications with them so bring our staff home and get back to the proper business of providing a country fit for decent people to live in rather than childishly going off in the huff to kill thinking it makes you big and people will forget the situation here.

Toro · Nov 29, 2011

This is appalling.

Heck, I'll even stand by Yukon over this!

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