Hundreds Rally In London As Iranians And Jews Unite Against Tehran Regime

Several hundred demonstrators gathered Saturday outside 10 Downing Street and the Iranian Embassy in London to voice support for the ongoing anti-regime protests sweeping Iran.

The rallies followed the eruption of mass demonstrations across Iran beginning December 28, after the collapse of the rial and surging inflation deepened public anger toward the Islamic regime.

The protest near Downing Street was organized by Stage of Freedom, a UK-based network of Iranian pro-democracy activists advocating for regime change in Tehran.

Demonstrators were heard chanting “Javid Shah” – “Long Live the Shah” – while waving Iranian flags, the Imperial Standards of Iran flag, and British flags. Many also carried posters depicting Reza Pahlavi, son of the last Shah of Iran.

Ahead of the rally, Stage of Freedom circulated suggested chants to supporters, including “Hear the Iranian people’s voice- Pahlavi is their choice,” and “From Iran to the UK- Pahlavi is the only way.”

Roger Macmillan, a former director of security at Iran International TV, attended the protest and later wrote on X that “Iranians are demanding freedom, dignity, and accountable leadership.” He also said demonstrators made their dissatisfaction with the BBC’s coverage clear.

Multiple Iranian activists and diaspora organizations have criticized international media reporting on the protests, arguing that coverage has distorted the nature of the demonstrations.

One BBC headline read, “Iran protesters break into government buildings as unrest continues.” The Iranian Diaspora Collective rephrased it as, “Iran protesters reclaim government building as nation-wide regime rejection continues.”

“Dear Journalists – Use your words carefully in your coverage of Iran,” the group warned.

Organizers announced that another protest is planned for Sunday outside BBC Broadcasting House in London.

A large Jewish presence was reported at the second demonstration outside the Iranian Embassy. The group Stop The Hate also participated.

“At a time when the Iranian people are standing under pressure, repression, and bullets, Jews and the people of England stood beside us in London, not out of slogans, but out of conscience, humanity, and an understanding of the truth,” said journalist and advocate Niyak Ghorbani.

“We Iranians will not forget this support. We will not forget these friendships. These days, this solidarity, this courage in standing with truth, are now written into the history of a nation,” Ghorbani added.

Ghorbani also confirmed plans for an additional protest outside BBC Broadcasting House, saying, “We are Iranian-British. We stand for truth. We stand against the Islamic Terrorist Regime. We stand with the Iranian people and their right to freedom, dignity, and a future without fear.”

Israel’s embassy in London accused the BBC of fixating on Gaza while “largely ignoring” the ongoing protests in Iran.