Iran protesters break into UK embassy in Tehran

[L.K.Eder]

BBC News - Iran protesters break into UK embassy in Tehran

 

[High_Gravity]

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.

Iran: U.K. Embassy Stormed

 

[JStone]

allah-approved.

 

[High_Gravity]

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]

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]

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.

Good thing we closed down our embassy and evacuated our staff out of Syria than.

 

[zzzz]

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.

Good thing we closed down our embassy and evacuated our staff out of Syria than.

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]

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]

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."

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]

This is appalling.

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

 

[Dont Taz Me Bro]

Gee, we've never seen this before.

 

[Swagger]

This is an intolerable outrage!!

Something needs to be done about these unruly muhammadans, and it needs to be done now!! The UK must be strong in the face of Iranian aggression and ignore pleas of mercy from her enemies and the UN. Although retaliation must be carefully planned and co-ordinated on the ground. Phase one will see the withdrawl of all UK personel from the toilet otherwise known as Tehran. Iran's defensive assets and mosques will then be neutralised by RAF airstrikes. Phase three will see civilians being targeted at will by advancing ground forces. That'll teach the carpet kissing ingrates!

God bless the Queen!

 

[Perham]

these people are obviously not protesters. they're definitely government thugs. and don't believe if anyone says it wasn't coordinated by the Iranian government. they have shown their true power in oppressing the real protesters. they could have easily subdued a crowd of 1000 people if they wanted to.

 

[JStone]

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.

Good thing we closed down our embassy and evacuated our staff out of Syria than.

Iran continues to kill Americans
Lethal Iranian Weapons Entering Iraq
Mullen: Lethal Iranian weapons entering Iraq - Navy News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Navy Times

 

[JStone]

This is an intolerable outrage!!

Something needs to be done about these unruly muhammadans, and it needs to be done now!! The UK must be strong in the face of Iranian aggression and ignore pleas of mercy from her enemies and the UN. Although retaliation must be carefully planned and co-ordinated on the ground. Phase one will see the withdrawl of all UK personel from the toilet otherwise known as Tehran. Iran's defensive assets and mosques will then be neutralised by RAF airstrikes. Phase three will see civilians being targeted at will by advancing ground forces. That'll teach the carpet kissing ingrates!

God bless the Queen!

The Brits are fucked. It's just a matter of time before Englandistan is another islimic shithole under shariah law.

I heard the Queen is being fitted for a burqa at Harrods.

 

[High_Gravity]

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.

Good thing we closed down our embassy and evacuated our staff out of Syria than.

Iran continues to kill Americans
Lethal Iranian Weapons Entering Iraq
Mullen: Lethal Iranian weapons entering Iraq - Navy News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Navy Times

The Iranians have been providing weapons and training for militants inside Iraq and Afghanistan for years now.

 

[High_Gravity]

Britain Closes Embassy, Evacuates Diplomats After Tehran Attack

LONDON — Britain's Foreign Secretary says the U.K. has withdrawn its entire diplomatic staff from Iran following attacks on the country's embassy and a residential compound in Tehran.

William Hague told the House of Commons on Wednesday that Britain had also ordered all Iranian diplomats to leave the U.K.

Mobs hauled down British flags and ransacked offices in Tehran on Tuesday in retaliation for Britain's support of tighter sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program.

Hague said Britain and allies would consider other measures in response at a European Union meeting Thursday.

He said it was "fanciful" to believe the attacks did not take place with support from Iran's regime.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) – Britain began withdrawing some diplomatic staff and families from Tehran on Wednesday as international condemnation spread over attacks on British compounds by hard-line protesters. Iran called the mayhem unacceptable, but the parliament speaker said Britain's "domination-seeking" policies were ultimately to blame.

Norway, meanwhile, closed its embassy in Tehran due to security concerns after Tuesday's assault on the British Embassy and a residential complex. France and others joined the global criticism.

Mobs hauled down British flags and ransacked offices in retaliation for Britain's support of tighter sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program.

In London, the Foreign Office said some diplomatic staff and dependents would leave Iran. But it declined to say how many people were being removed or give other details.

"Ensuring the safety of our staff and their families is our immediate priority," said the statement. It noted some diplomatic work is ongoing, though the embassy is officially closed.

The Iranian government has expressed regret about "unacceptable behavior" of protesters, whose attacks began after anti-British demonstrations apparently authorized by authorities.

But Iran's Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani said that the "wrath of (students) resulted from several decades of domination-seeking behavior of Britain."

Larijani – addressing an open session of parliament Wednesday – also called the U.N. Security Council's condemnation of the embassy attack a "hasty move."

Larijani's comments reflect the deepening diplomatic crisis between Iran and Britain, whose relations have in the past gone through periods of upheavals. On Sunday, Iran's parliament approved a bill to downgrade relations with Britain, one of America's closest allies with diplomatic envoys in the Islamic Republic.

Larijani insisted that the decision to scale back relations needs to be carried out immediately. But President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has remained silent and his representatives have publicly opposed parliament's decision.

Iran's Foreign Ministry said it must carry out the decision after the parliament vote was approved Monday by Iran's constitutional watchdog, the Guardian Council.

Washington and Tehran have had no diplomatic relations since militants stormed the U.S. Embassy in Tehran after the 1979 Islamic Revolution and held 52 hostages for 444 days. In the early moments of that siege, protesters tossed out papers from the compound and pulled down the U.S. flag.

Britain broke off relations with Iran after the Islamic Revolution and gradually restored during the 1990s.

China, which is one of Iran's key allies, refused to criticize Iran by name for the attack on the British compounds, but said "the security and dignity" of diplomatic missions should be protected.

British Prime Minister David Cameron chaired meetings of the British government crisis committee late on Tuesday and early on Wednesday and praised diplomats "who often face grave dangers, as they did yesterday in Tehran."

"We will consider taking some very tough action in response to this completely disgraceful and appalling action by the Iranians," Cameron told lawmakers Wednesday at the House of Commons.

About 24 British embassy staff and dependents are based in Tehran. All are adults since Britain will not post diplomats to Iran with small children for security reasons.

Britain Closes Embassy, Evacuates Diplomats After Tehran Attack

 

[L.K.Eder]

BBC News - UK to expel all Iranian diplomats over embassy attack

 

[High_Gravity]

BBC News - UK to expel all Iranian diplomats over embassy attack

Thats the smart move, the Iranians have shown time and time again they have no respect for other countries diplomats.

 

[L.K.Eder]

i really hate the basij