Around 1,500 demonstrators marched through central London on Saturday, calling on the UK Government to close the Iranian embassy. The protest began outside Downing Street before participants made their way to the embassy in Westminster. Organisers urged officials to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation during speeches at the rally.
Protesters displayed images of Iran’s exiled crown prince, Reza Pahlavi, with one individual stating he represented a potential alternative to the current regime. The woman, who requested anonymity, expressed support for Pahlavi, saying, “We support him to be our next king or alternative to this regime.”
As the march progressed, chants such as “IRGC’s terrorist, UK put them on the list” echoed through the streets. An Iranian national, also preferring not to be named, declared that Pahlavi is the “only alternative” leader, adding, “We are not a dictatorship, we don’t want a dictatorship, we just want a democracy.”
Another participant, known only as Sam and aged 35, attended the protest to show solidarity with “the Iranian people who are fighting for their freedom, fighting terrorism.” Some protesters near the front carried a banner that read, “The people of Iran are desperate for President Trump’s help. We need military support.” The crowd also shouted demands to “shut down the Iranian embassy” and “deport the Iranian diplomats.”
Among the demonstrators was Romana Yasynovska, a Ukrainian national living in London. Holding a sign that stated, “I am a Ukrainian mom. I’m here for a world where my daughter and Iran’s daughters can share the same right – to be women,” she emphasized the shared aspirations of both Ukrainian and Iranian people. Yasynovska remarked, “Today I am trying to support them because I know how important that is, and every time when some foreigners come to our Ukrainian rallies, it’s priceless for us.”
The protest, which unfolded peacefully, lasted just under five hours. Participants were instructed to follow a designated route stretching from near Downing Street, down Pall Mall, and along Piccadilly. The Metropolitan Police imposed conditions ahead of the event to “prevent serious disruption” and to “limit disturbance” to local residents, ensuring that the demonstration remained orderly.
The gathering reflects ongoing tensions surrounding the Iranian regime and highlights the desire among many for change and support from the international community.
