Seven Iranian nationals have been charged with grievous bodily harm following a violent altercation outside the Iranian embassy in Knightsbridge that left two men seriously injured. The incident erupted amid opposing protests, prompting police to impose restrictions to maintain order in the area.
Seven men have been charged following a violent altercation outside the Iranian embassy in central London that left two men seriously injured. The Metropolitan Police responded to a large-scale fight on Princes Gate in Knightsbridge shortly after 9.50 am on Friday. The two victims, aged 37 and 39, were hospitalised with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Eight individuals were initially arrested in connection with the incident, including one of the injured men, but seven of those arrested have now been charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent. All charged men, all Iranian nationals, have been remanded in custody and are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Monday.
The charged individuals are Mohammad Nadiri, Pourrezaei Vahid, Armin Hasanlov, Esmaeil Balouchy, Saeed Hosseingholipoor, Farzin Suleimani, and Aref Yazdan Parast, with addresses spanning London, Liverpool, Brentford, Mitcham, Birmingham, and Isleworth. The incident reportedly involved opposing groups of protesters — those supporting and those opposing the Iranian regime — leading to clashes outside the embassy. Following the violence, police have imposed restrictions preventing further gatherings in the area until Sunday afternoon to maintain public order.
Footage circulating on social media showed two men lying injured within a cordoned-off section of Princes Gate, highlighting the severity of the clash. This episode echoes previous disturbances outside the Iranian embassy, such as in September 2022 when violent protests led to at least five police officers being seriously injured and multiple arrests. That earlier unrest involved objects being thrown at officers and mass disorder, illustrating the embassy area as a focal point for tensions related to Iranian political issues within London.
Police initially arrested six men in connection with the latest incident on the day of the clash, before an additional arrest raised the total to eight. Two men injured in the melee were treated at the scene before hospital transfer, with investigations ongoing amid efforts to maintain security around the embassy.
The location has also been the site of previous protests and confrontations. Notably, in March 2018, four protesters were arrested after climbing onto a balcony of the embassy and waving flags in defiance of the Iranian government. Further that year, supporters of a dissident Iranian cleric forcefully entered the embassy, replaced the Iranian flag with their own, and chanted slogans against Tehran’s authorities before being arrested.
The recent charged individuals face serious allegations of inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent, reflecting the gravity of violence erupting in political demonstrations on UK soil. The Metropolitan Police continue to monitor the situation closely, emphasising the importance of peaceful protest and public safety around diplomatic missions.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/2071967/seven-men-charged-violent-fight – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/london-police-charge-seven-iranians-with-assault-after-embassy-incident-2025-06-22/ – On June 22, 2025, London’s Metropolitan Police charged seven Iranian nationals with causing grievous bodily harm following a violent altercation during a protest near the Iranian embassy. The incident occurred on Friday, with two men hospitalized with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. The seven charged individuals have been remanded in custody and are scheduled to appear in court on Monday. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/london-police-charge-seven-iranians-with-assault-after-embassy-incident-2025-06-22/?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-police-arrest-six-suspicion-assault-near-irans-london-embassy-2025-06-20/ – On June 20, 2025, British police arrested six men on suspicion of grievous bodily harm following reports of an altercation near the Iranian embassy in London. The arrests took place on Prince’s Gate, the street where the embassy is located. Two men were treated for injuries at the scene and taken to hospital for further treatment. Police have cordoned off the area while initial investigations take place. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-police-arrest-six-suspicion-assault-near-irans-london-embassy-2025-06-20/?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-63029612 – In September 2022, protesters clashed with police outside the Iranian embassy in London. The Metropolitan Police reported that members of the crowd threw missiles at officers and breached police lines in Princes Gate, Knightsbridge. At least five officers were seriously injured during the protests. Twelve people were arrested on suspicion of violent disorder offences. ([bbc.co.uk](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-63029612?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/iranian-embassy-police-hunt-appeal-crime-london-b1028491.html – In September 2022, police were searching for 13 individuals after violent clashes erupted outside the Iranian embassy in London. At least five officers were seriously injured during the protests. Twelve arrests were made after ‘missiles’ including bottles and masonry were allegedly thrown by large crowds gathered at Princes Gate in Kensington, Marble Arch, and at the Islamic Centre of England in Maida Vale. ([standard.co.uk](https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/iranian-embassy-police-hunt-appeal-crime-london-b1028491.html?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/four-arrested-after-balcony-protest-at-iranian-embassy-in-london-544696 – In March 2018, four individuals were arrested after climbing onto a first-floor balcony of the Iranian embassy in London and waving flags in an apparent protest against the government in Tehran. The four were arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage and being unlawfully on diplomatic premises. No one was hurt during the incident, and the four were arrested when they came down voluntarily after around three hours. ([jpost.com](https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/four-arrested-after-balcony-protest-at-iranian-embassy-in-london-544695?utm_source=openai))
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_attack_on_the_Iranian_Embassy_in_London – In March 2018, supporters of Sadiq al-Shirazi entered the Iranian embassy in London, pulled down the Iranian flag, and displayed their own group’s flag. They also chanted slogans against the Iranian authorities. The attackers were arrested three hours after entering the embassy for the crime of ‘illegal entry into a diplomatic place and the possibility of causing damage to it.’ ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_attack_on_the_Iranian_Embassy_in_London?utm_source=openai))
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative is current, with the earliest known publication date being June 22, 2025. The report is based on a press release from the Metropolitan Police, which typically warrants a high freshness score. No earlier versions with differing figures, dates, or quotes were found. The article includes updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged. No substantially similar content was found published more than 7 days earlier. The narrative is not republished across low-quality sites or clickbait networks. The report is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score.
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
No direct quotes were identified in the provided text. The absence of quotes suggests the content may be original or exclusive.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from a reputable organisation, the Metropolitan Police, which adds credibility. However, the report is republished by Express.co.uk, a news outlet with a mixed reputation for accuracy. This raises some concerns about the reliability of the source.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about the violent altercation and subsequent charges are plausible and align with known patterns of protests outside the Iranian embassy in London. The narrative includes specific details such as the names of the charged individuals and the charges against them, which adds credibility. The language and tone are consistent with typical news reporting. No excessive or off-topic details unrelated to the claim are present.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is current and based on a press release from the Metropolitan Police, which adds credibility. The absence of direct quotes suggests original content. While the source, Express.co.uk, has a mixed reputation, the specific details provided in the report align with known patterns of protests outside the Iranian embassy in London, and the language and tone are consistent with typical news reporting. Therefore, the overall assessment is a PASS with high confidence.
