Global Day of Action: Thousands of demonstrators marched through London on Saturday in a major show of support for anti-government protesters in Iran and The Lion and Sun Revolution, with participants also calling on the British government to close the Islamic Republic’s embassy in the UK.
The rally began at around 12:00 outside Downing Street, where crowds gathered holding Iran’s historic Lion and Sun flags and portraits linked to Iran’s former monarchy. Many demonstrators voiced strong support for exiled opposition figure Reza Pahlavi, echoing chants such as “This is the final battle — Pahlavi will return” and “Long live the king.”
From Downing Street, the march moved through central London over several hours, eventually reaching the Iranian Embassy at approximately 16:00. Protesters remained outside the embassy until around 18:30, turning the area into the focal point of the demonstration.
Once outside the embassy, demonstrators directed their message not only at Iranian authorities but also at the UK government. Many chanted and displayed banners demanding that Britain shut down the Islamic Republic’s diplomatic mission in London, arguing that the embassy does not represent the Iranian people.
Signs reading “Close the Islamic Republic Embassy” and “Expel regime diplomats” were visible throughout the crowd, reflecting a key political demand among participants.
The protest remained peaceful, with a large police presence monitoring the march and crowds. Participants waved flags, sang, and took photographs to document what many described as a historic mobilisation.
Part of a global movement
The London rally was part of a coordinated Global Day of Demonstrations. In Munich, German police estimated more than 250,000 people attended a major protest. In Toronto, police said around 350,000 marched in support of Iranian protesters.
In Los Angeles, enormous crowds filled downtown streets, with aerial footage showing one of the largest Iran solidarity gatherings in the United States.
Demonstrations were also held in cities including Washington, Stockholm, Tel Aviv, Lisbon, and Sydney. Some organisers estimated that more than one million people may have taken part worldwide, although no single official global figure exists.
Pahlavi’s call resonates
Reza Pahlavi had urged supporters around the world to participate in the rallies, presenting them as a unified show of opposition to Iran’s current political system and a demonstration of international solidarity with protesters inside the country.
His call was widely shared across diaspora communities and was reflected in the strong monarchist symbolism and chants heard during the London march.
Emotional and political significance
For many who attended, the London rally was both a political statement and a personal act of solidarity. Participants said they wanted to ensure that the voices of Iranians demanding change continue to be heard internationally.
As the demonstration concluded outside the Iranian Embassy in the early evening, crowds slowly dispersed, leaving behind a powerful visual reminder of London’s role as a key centre for Iranian diaspora activism — and of a global movement that continues to grow.
