2011 attack on the British Embassy in Iran
The storming of the British embassy in Tehran occurred on the morning of 29 November 2011. A group of Iranian demonstrators insisted on the grounds of the British Embassy in Tehran, put on fire and devastated offices.
Expiration
Located on the Ferdowsi Avenue in central Tehran embassy of the United Kingdom was besieged on the morning of November 29, 2011 by more than three hundred demonstrators. The demonstrators would have, the state news agency IRNA, gathered outside the embassy because they wanted to protest against the assassination of Iranian nuclear expert Majid Shahriari exactly one year ago. For the death of the scientist they blame besides Israel and the United States and Britain.
These slogans like "Death to England " or " English, disappears " chanted. To protect the embassy about 150 policemen were used. Nevertheless stormed at least 200 members of the pro-government Basij militia the terrain. This appears to have been facilitated by some of the police forces intervened late or not at all. It flew firebombs and stones. The Union Jack was burned several times.
Later, it came at a point located in a northern district of Tehran British school also riots, in this case several hostages were briefly taken.
Causes
The main cause of the incident, the imposed November 22, 2011 in connection with the Iranian nuclear program sanctions by the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom apply. Then the Iranian Parliament had decided on 27 November 2011 179 Pro and Contra 4 votes with eleven abstentions, in addition to the reduction of diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom to a minimum, the British ambassador Dominick John Chilcott, who took office only in October 2011 to expel. The Iranian Guardian Council approved the draft on the following Monday.
Follow
British Foreign Secretary William Hague urged Iran to respect its international obligations to protect embassies, he threatened with serious consequences. The British Embassy was closed until further notice.
The Government of the United Kingdom has called in response to the storming of all employees of the Iranian embassy in London to leave the country within 48 hours. Acting Foreign Minister of the Federal Republic of Germany Guido Westerwelle summoned the Iranian ambassador and explained the incident on the embassy grounds is illegal under international law and unacceptable.
Even France and the United States criticized the incident. The United Nations Security Council referred to the obligation under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961, which provides, to ensure the protection of the diplomatic and consular facilities. For security reasons, Norway closed its embassy in Tehran, but leaves the staff until further notice in the country.
Eleven Iranian embassy occupiers who were arrested by the police because of forced entry into the British representative, have been released on 30 November 2011 without giving reasons.