<P> 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 , members of an Iranian Arab group campaigning for Arab national sovereignty in the southern Iranian region of Khuzestan Province , took 26 people hostage -- mostly embassy staff , but also several visitors as well as a police officer who had been guarding the embassy . They demanded the release of Arab prisoners from prisons in Khuzestan and their own safe passage out of the United Kingdom . Margaret Thatcher 's 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 . </P>
<P> 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 , members of an Iranian Arab group campaigning for Arab national sovereignty in the southern Iranian region of Khuzestan Province , took 26 people hostage -- mostly embassy staff , but also several visitors as well as a police officer who had been guarding the embassy . They demanded the release of Arab prisoners from prisons in Khuzestan and their own safe passage out of the United Kingdom . Margaret Thatcher 's 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 . </P>
april 1980 armed gunmen stormed the iranian embassy in princes gate
april 1980 armed gunmen stormed the iranian embassy in princes gate
The Iranian Embassy siege
The Iranian Embassy siege