 The Iranian Embassy siege took place from 30 April to 5 May 1980 , after a group of six armed men stormed the Iranian embassy in South Kensington , London . The gunmen took 26 people hostage — mostly embassy staff , but several visitors and a police officer , who had been guarding the embassy , were also held . The hostage @-@ takers , members of an Iranian Arab group campaigning for Arab national sovereignty in the southern region of Khūzestān Province , demanded the release of Arab prisoners from jails in Khūzestān and their own safe passage out of the United Kingdom . The British government quickly resolved that safe passage would not be granted , and a siege ensued . Over the following days , police negotiators secured the release of five hostages in exchange for minor concessions , such as the broadcasting of the hostage @-@ takers ' demands on British television . 
