Iranian students storm UK Embassy in Tehran
Source: Agencies |
November 30, 2011, Wednesday
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HARD-LINE Iranian protesters stormed the British Embassy in Tehran yesterday, tearing down the Union Flag, burning an embassy vehicle and throwing documents from windows in scenes reminiscent of the seizing of the United States compound in 1979.
The protesters surged past riot police into the complex - 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 upgraded Western sanctions over Iran's nuclear program.
Flames shot out of a sport utility vehicle parked outside the brick building. Demonstrators outside the embassy also burned British flags and clashed with police at a rally which had been organized by student groups at universities and seminaries.
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 had 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 were inside the embassy, although the storming occurred after business hours.
The protesters broke through after clashing with anti-riot police and chanting for the embassy's takeover. "Death to England," some cried in the first significant assault on 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 occupiers called for the closure of the embassy calling it a "spy den" - the same phrase used after militants stormed the US Embassy in Tehran after the 1979 Islamic Revolution 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 US flag. Washington and Tehran have had no diplomatic relations since then.
The rally outside the British Embassy included protesters carrying photographs of nuclear scientist Majid Shahriari, who was killed last year in an attack Iran blamed on Israeli and British spy services.
Britain's Foreign Office yesterday warned its citizens in Iran to "stay inside and keep a low profile."
The protesters surged past riot police into the complex - 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 upgraded Western sanctions over Iran's nuclear program.
Flames shot out of a sport utility vehicle parked outside the brick building. Demonstrators outside the embassy also burned British flags and clashed with police at a rally which had been organized by student groups at universities and seminaries.
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 had 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 were inside the embassy, although the storming occurred after business hours.
The protesters broke through after clashing with anti-riot police and chanting for the embassy's takeover. "Death to England," some cried in the first significant assault on 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 occupiers called for the closure of the embassy calling it a "spy den" - the same phrase used after militants stormed the US Embassy in Tehran after the 1979 Islamic Revolution 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 US flag. Washington and Tehran have had no diplomatic relations since then.
The rally outside the British Embassy included protesters carrying photographs of nuclear scientist Majid Shahriari, who was killed last year in an attack Iran blamed on Israeli and British spy services.
Britain's Foreign Office yesterday warned its citizens in Iran to "stay inside and keep a low profile."
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