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Iranian protesters break the windows of a British Embassy building, in Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2011. Vahid Salemi/AP/Press Association Images

UK withdraws diplomatic staff attack on Tehran embassy

British diplomatic staff in Iran have been withdrawn following an attack on its embassy in Tehran yesterday – during which protesters shouting “Death to England” smashed windows, burned British flags and set a car alight.

BRITAIN IS WITHDRAWING diplomatic staff from Iran following an attack on its embassy in Tehran yesterday.

Hundreds of anti-British protesters stormed the embassy building and residential compound, smashing widows, burning representations of the British flag, setting a car alight and shouting “Death to England”.

British Prime Minister David Cameron has strongly condemned the incident and warned that there will be “serious consequences” for the attack, reports the BBC. All embassy staff are safe and accounted for, Cameron said, however British officials were still attempting to discover the whereabouts of “locally engaged security staff” to ensure their well-being.

The protesters were reacting to Britain’s recent decision to impose further economic sanctions on Iran over its disputed nuclear programme, according to the New York Times.

The attack was reminiscent of the attack on the US embassy in 1979 after the Iranian Revolution, which was also preceded by increasingly strained ties between Iran and Western powers.

On Sunday, Iran’s parliament approved a bill to downgrade relations with Britain.

Call for all ties to be cut

Police eventually managed to expel the protesters from the building – but the demonstrators vowed to continue protesting until Iran cut all ties with Britain, reports Fars. Protesters pointed to “Britain’s companionship with the United States’ lies and warmongering moves and polices against Iran, specially on the country’s nuclear program, and its war rhetoric and threats of a military strike in recent weeks accompanied by bold sanctions on the Central Bank of Iran”.

Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expressed regret over the attack, describing the behaviour of some protesters as “unacceptable” and promising to take necessary measures through legal channels and relevant authorities against those responsible. In a statement, the Ministry reiterated “the commitment of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to safeguard and protect the diplomatic places and personnel. ”

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Sorting out who to blame may be difficult, however.

The late-afternoon demonstration outside the embassy was organised by pro-government groups at universities and Islamic seminaries, and could not have taken place without official sanction, reports the Associated Press. However, such anti-Western rallies often draw ultraconservative factions such as the basiji, a paramilitary group run by the powerful Revolutionary Guard that is directly controlled by Iran’s ruling theocracy.

Riot police initially clashed with mobs in attempts to hold them back, but protesters surged past cordons and scaled the walls at the embassy complex, which they pelted with petrol bombs and stones. Flames shot out of a sport utility vehicle parked outside the brick building and occupiers tossed papers apparently looted from an office.

Protesters called for the closure of the embassy and called it a “spy den” — the same phrase used after militants stormed the US Embassy in Tehran after the 1979 Islamic Revolution and held 52 hostages for 444 days. In the early moments of that siege, protesters tossed out papers from the compound and pulled down the US flag. Washington and Tehran have had no diplomatic relations since then.

David Cameron is due to make a speech on the matter later today. Meanwhile, British nationals in Iran have been advised to stay indoors and keep a low profile.

Additional reporting by the AP

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    Mute Kerry Blake
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    Nov 21st 2013, 6:00 PM

    Was talking to a PIP who said that most interested cannot afford the PIP’s fees let alone come to a settlement with their creditors.

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    Mute Michael
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    Nov 21st 2013, 7:31 PM

    Ireland must be the only country in the world where you need to have money in the bank to pay fees, if you need to enter bankruptcy, how utterly depressing.

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    Mute TheIrishBrain
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    Nov 21st 2013, 8:11 PM

    It’s said that if this government opened a new maternity hospital there would have a 10 month waiting list to get in.

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    Mute Ollie Owens
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    Nov 21st 2013, 7:38 PM

    they are using the 7,500 figure as – “Isn’t this a great service we are offering that 7,500 people have made contact with us. What I see is the fact that 7500 people (and 100,000 visited the website) have felt the need to contact them – isn’t that a totally depressing figure.

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    Mute Dusty O'Brien
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    Nov 21st 2013, 7:47 PM

    Adding up the salaries is about €528 per contact … Another shining example of money well spent

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    Mute Petr Tarasov
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    Nov 21st 2013, 6:14 PM

    Take this to your Personal Insolvency Practitioner and have an A1 day.

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    Mute Pete McGrath
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    Nov 22nd 2013, 12:17 AM

    In as much trouble as I am with arrears I’ll be damned if I enter into this newly formed, rushed through insolvency service. I fully intend to get myself out of the mess I find myself in, if I have to board up the house myself and stand guard outside it so be it. No one’s gonna come and take it off me, when the trouble I have is not of my doing. What this government, ergo the banks need to understand is that the majority of people who have mortgage difficulties would only too gladly get themselves back on an even keel, given enough TIME. A week may be short in politics, not so for homeowners in trouble.

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    Mute Dusty O'Brien
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    Nov 21st 2013, 7:43 PM

    Nobody is willing to live on the vincentian guidelines either. Most pips will use the framework to come to unofficial agreements and that’ll be about the size of it.

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    Mute Kenneth
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    Nov 22nd 2013, 12:24 AM

    I think this us a disgrace. If someone owes me money I get it back no matter what, send in the debt collectors and usually the money shows up as family members well cars houses etc to cover the costs and rightfully so. Do you think for a second that I would accept some nonsense like this. There are well known people who can collect all monies owed and I always use them. Bankrupt- I don’t do excuses :)

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    Mute Michael Hegarty
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    Nov 22nd 2013, 1:15 AM

    Thing is Kenneth…. Nobody owes you anything because your a bum without a pot to piss in, in the first place…. Egotistical daydreamer!! Goodnight :-) zzzzzzzz

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    Mute Robert William
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    Nov 22nd 2013, 12:13 PM

    The PIP fees is so high. It’s not affordable for all. The Ireland government have to think about this matter. At this condition they can take suggestion from an experience company like Insolvency Guardian (insolvencyguardian.com.au)

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