UK police arrest men on suspicion of assault near Iran’s London embassy

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LONDON (Reuters) – British police arrested eight men on Friday, including seven on suspicion of grievous bodily harm, following reports of an altercation involving pro and anti-Iranian protesters at a location close to the Iranian embassy in London.

London’s Metropolitan Police said a man had been taken into custody after he was arrested on suspicion of breaching conditions temporarily banning protest gatherings in the area until Sunday.

“Seven other men remain in police custody after being arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm,” the police said in a statement.

Local media reported the arrests took place at a protest against the Iranian leadership.

Police did not link the arrests to the Iranian embassy, but said they took place on Prince’s Gate in London, which is where the embassy is located.

“Two men were treated for injuries at the scene and have been taken to hospital for further treatment by the London Ambulance Service,” the police said in an earlier statement.

Their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening, the police said in an update.

“Police have cordoned off the area while initial investigations take place.”

(Reporting by Sam Tabahriti and William James; editing by Sarah Young and Andrew Heavens)