Thousands protest against strikes on Iran at US Embassy in London

Protesters called for an end to airstrikes on Iran during a rally outside the US embassy in London.

Thousands marched to the diplomatic mission in Nine Elms, many carrying Iranian and Palestinian flags as well as pictures of the former supreme leader Ali Khamenei.

Up to 5,000 demonstrators set off from Millbank Tower on Saturday afternoon, holding up placards reading ‘Stop Trump’s Wars’, ‘Stop the War on Iran’, ‘Stop Arming Israel’ and ‘No War on Iran’.

Among speakers was Your Party MP Zarah Sultana, who told demonstrators they would ‘not be ignored again’.

She said: ‘Back then, we were told that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction.

‘We were told that war would bring peace and democracy.

‘We were told that the war would protect Iraqis and protect the world, but the truth was very different.’

A statement by her party’s new leader Jeremy Corbyn was also read out to protesters.

The former Labour leader said: ‘For too long, the UK has blindly followed the US as it indulges in catastrophic interventions around the world.

‘We are here to defend something different, a foreign policy based on co-operation, equality and sovereignty.’

Four people were arrested at the rally including a woman carrying a placard which incited ‘racial hatred’, Metropolitan Police confirmed.

It said in a statement: ‘A woman in her 60s has been arrested on suspicion of inciting racial hatred in relation to a placard.

‘There were three further arrests. One for possession of an offensive weapon and another for racially aggravated public order offences in relation to a chant.

‘A man in his 30s was arrested on suspicion of violent disorder in relation to an incident which occurred yesterday in Maida Vale.’

Counter protesters gathered near Millbank Tower as the anti-strikes demonstration reached the embassy.

Shouts could be heard of ‘shame on you’ and ‘murderers’ to the people holding Israeli flags, to which some replied ‘you’re wrong’ and ‘you’re in denial’.

Among people at the protest outside the US embassy was 30-year-old Brazilian student Daniela Costa.

She said: ‘I just feel that we can’t just live as if it’s just business as usual at this moment.

‘I expect that this protest will show the UK Government that they don’t have popular support to participate in the war in any way, such as providing weapons or providing their… military bases to the US.’

Martin Perry, 58, from Northampton, said he was marching to protest against America and Israel ‘destroying International law’.

‘I’m here today to signal to Keir Starmer that the public aren’t for the war against Iran, and don’t want our forces going into, being involved in an illegal war’, he said.

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