Diplomats survey ‘shock’ aftermath of embassy riot

Ambassadors and diplomats in Tehran were “shocked” by the extent of damage wreaked inside Britain’s two diplomatic compounds by Iranian protesters this week, several of them said after visiting the premises yesterday.

“Everybody was shaken. People were pale, shocked by what they saw,” one western diplomat said.

Britain’s embassy, in the centre of Tehran, had been turned “upside down,” with paintings ripped apart and windows smashed, while “everything was broken” in residences in the diplomatic compound in the north of the city, another said.

In both places, slogans such as “Down with the English” were scrawled on walls and diplomatic papers were strewn around.

Around 40 ambassadors and diplomats, most of them from European and western nations, yesterday filed into both compounds to inspect the outcome of Tuesday’s attacks. Foreign journalists were refused entry by Iranian police, who confiscated the camera of one news crew, and ordered to leave the vicinity.

“It was tough seeing the residences. There were personal belongings everywhere. Peoples’ privacy was violated,” said one diplomat.

Clothes were trampled underfoot, first-aid kits had been ripped open and their contents thrown across the lawn. “People obviously left in a hurry: lights were still on. A coat was still draped over a chair – that was very odd to see.”

Last night, Iran banned foreign media from covering any rallies in front of British diplomatic missions in Tehran.

Iran previously has banned foreign media from covering opposition protests, but this is the first time Tehran has barred foreign media from covering pro-government rallies.

The embassy incident has deepened Iran’s isolation and significantly escalated tensions with the West.