Webloggin » Demonstrators Attack British Embassy in Iran

Islamic Student Protesters Attack Embassy, Chant “British, British, death to you, death to you”

A crowd of about 200 student demonstrators attacked the British Embassy in Tehran on Sunday in protest over the incident that led to Iran abducting 15 British sailors and marines. Iranian police in riot gear pushed the crowd back while demonstrators hurled rocks and homemade explosive devices. Chants of “British, British, death to you, death to you,” could be heard from the crowd. Nobody is reported to have been injured. (also note that Reuters leaves out the part about this being led by Islamic students, more on that further down)

Iranian students have thrown firecrackers and rocks into the British embassy compound during a protest in the capital Tehran.

About 200 people demonstrated against what they say was the illegal entry into Iranian waters of 15 UK Royal Navy personnel captured nine days ago.

BBC correspondent Frances Harrison said the students were hardliners who were urging Iran not to compromise.

The Foreign Office said there had been no damage and no-one had been hurt.

Demands

The BBC’s correspondent, who was outside the embassy when the missiles were thrown, said the demonstrators were hardline Islamist students from Tehran University.

The protesters, whose demonstration was allowed by the Iranian government, were chanting “death to Britain” and calling for the deportation of the British ambassador, she said. - BBC News

Personally I wouldn’t be surprised to discover the whole incident as yet another staged event by the Iranian government to gain support in what can only be viewed as waning support in the international community. From a propagandistic point of view nothing could be better for Iran. Evey time one of these “incidents” happen the press is obliged to rehash the whole story which serves as another opportunity for Iran to get their version of the story out. It also has the added side effect of pushing oil prices higher; something Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has been prone to do in the past.

The Reuters report demonstrates this point perfectly. Most of the report focuses on Iranian claims and increasing rhetoric scolding Britain with the exception of a few lines pertaining to Britain’s denial of the Iranian version. Reuters also completely omits the fact that the protesters are hard line Islamic students.

Iran ignored growing international pressure to release the 15 sailors and marines, saying London should change its behavior over the nine-day-old stand-off.

Witnesses in Tehran said the blasts were heard as demonstrators surged toward a barrier in the middle of the road near the embassy and crossed into the lines of police, some of them wearing riot gear. But the demonstrators were pushed back.

“British, British, death to you, death to you,” some of the demonstrators chanted, as some hurled stones at the embassy.

One witness saw a small scuffle between police and some of the protestors.

Iran captured the 15 Britons on March 23, accusing them of illegally entering the Islamic Republic’s territorial waters. Britain says the sailors were seized in Iraqi waters.

Their capture has prompted international criticism of Iran, with President Bush calling the detention inexcusable and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, now holder of the European Union presidency, demanding the sailors’ release.

The row, at a time of heightened Middle East tensions over Tehran’s disputed nuclear program, pushed oil prices last week to six-month highs. The West accuses Iran of seeking to build atomic bombs, a charge Tehran denies.

WAITING FOR A CHANGE OF Behavior

Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki was quoted as saying on state television: “Iran is waiting for a change of behavior by Britain and a balanced stance by this country over our legal demands.”

He did not outline the demands but, in a speech on Saturday, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Britain should have apologized. He has also accused London of not following “the legal or logical way” in the dispute.

Adding to the tense atmosphere, Iran sent a letter to the British embassy in Tehran complaining about a shooting by British troops near its consulate in the Iraqi city of Basra, Iran’s ISNA news agency reported.

Iran said it was a provocative act but Britain denied any aggressive action and said the shooting on Thursday came from a British convoy that was ambushed in the same street. [All Emphasis Mine]

Reuters’ coverage decidedly swings in favor of Iran’s message. The BBC has a much broader approach despite the new service tendency to lean left.

Britain denies Iran’s claims that the UK crew was in its waters when seized on 23 March and is demanding their “immediate” return.

Defence Secretary Des Browne, who is in neighbouring Afghanistan, said both countries were in direct bilateral contact but said the British position had been made clear.

“There is no reason to continue to keep them there. We are anxious that this matter be resolved as quickly as possible and that it be resolved by diplomatic means and we are bending every single effort to that.”

The support from the international community should make it clear to Iran “that their responsibility is to release our detained personnel”, he added.

President George W Bush earlier condemned Iran’s “inexcusable behaviour” after the capture of the UK personnel and said he would “strongly support” the British government over the crisis.

His calls were echoed by German Chancellor Angela Merkel who said Britain had the “full solidarity of the European Union”.

I don’t however get the point of former Beirut hostage Terry Waite.

Former hostage Terry Waite, who was held captive for 1,760 days in Beirut before being released in November 1991, has offered to travel to Iran to negotiate with those holding the Britons.

Mr Waite said threatening the Iranian government was counterproductive and said he would be able to “cut through some of the rhetoric”.

I am not quite sure what rock these people are sleeping under but Iran has made threats against other countries their main component of political diplomacy. Why in the world would anyone want to placate such rhetoric by doing the diplomatic equivalent of pouring them a hot bath with lavender oil? It is clear that Iran is the instigator in this and many other conflicts. The whole point of deterrent is backed by threats, economic and otherwise. Backing away from that stance at this point is politically foolish; we need some follow through. If anyone thinks otherwise they are high.