Demonstrators gathering on the South Bank of the River Thames for the Al Quds Day protest were seen holding placards reading “boom boom Tel Aviv.”
Crowds assembled on Albert Embankment for prayers before the rally got underway, with many waving Palestinian flags and carrying banners.
Chants of “from the river to the sea” and “Israel is a terror state” could also be heard among the crowd.
Scores of people began arriving from 1pm, many holding Palestine flags and banners, some reading “Free Palestine” and “No to Israeli occupation”.
Pictures of Iran’s late leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei were also held up, some accompanied by the message “Choose the right side of history”.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood granted police a month-long ban on the annual march organised by the Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC), marking the first time such a restriction on the protest has been imposed since 2012.
However, people can still legally assemble and take part in what police describe as a “static protest”.
The IHRC said the demonstration will go ahead “in defiance of a Government ban on the march”.
The annual Al Quds Day demonstration in London has previously drawn criticism over apparent backing for the Iranian regime after organisers expressed support for the country’s late leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
A counter-protest has also been planned, co-organised by Stop The Hate and the Lion Guard of Iran group, with police planning to use the River Thames as a barrier to prevent the demonstrations from clashing.
It is thought to be the first time Scotland Yard has used the Thames as a physical barrier to separate a major protest and counter-protest.
Scroll down for the latest updates.
Police updated: Twelve arrested as crowds of protesters disperse
Sunday 15 March 2026 17:09 , Megan HoweAssistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan, Public Order lead said: "Our policing plan worked, with both groups kept apart and we saw no attempts from either side to breach conditions by marching. Both sets dispersed as planned from 15:00hrs.
"We saw significantly fewer people attend than we had anticipated. The restrictions and conditions meant many people chose to stay away and not to attend the protest or counter-protest.
"This shows our decision to apply for the ban was the right one. A static protest meant it was easier for officers to keep the two groups apart and prevent serious public disorder.
"We made 12 arrests including for showing support for a proscribed organisation, affray and for threatening or abusive behaviour. We are also investigating chants made by a speaker at the Al Quds protest.
"As I said from the outset, the decision to ban the protest march does not set a precedent and we will continue to consider each protest on a case-by-case basis.
"I want to extend my thanks to the officers, including those from across the country who supported us. Their professionalism and commitment helped us to keep protestors and Londoners safe."
Met Police investigating chants of 'Death, death, to the IDF' at rally
Sunday 15 March 2026 16:40 , Megan HoweScotland Yard has confirmed it was investigating chants of “death, death to the IDF” at the al-Quds protest.
A Met spokesperson said: “We are aware of chanting made by a speaker at the al-Quds protest and will be investigating. We recognise the concern footage and chanting like this causes, particularly with London’s Jewish communities.”
Officers disperse crowds
Sunday 15 March 2026 15:27 , Shaun WilsonOfficers spoke to protestors on both sides of the river to remind them to disperse by 3pm.
Officers are beginning to speak to protesters within each of the groups to remind them of the conditions and that they must conclude and disperse by 15:00hrs.
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) March 15, 2026
Anyone who breaches the conditions and doesn't comply can expect to face arrest.
Three arrests made during this afternoon's protests
Sunday 15 March 2026 15:08 , Shaun WilsonThree arrests have been made in central London amid a protest and counter-protest during the Al Quds Day demonstration, police said.
In a post on X, the Metropolitan Police said: “Lambeth Bridge remains closed to keep both groups apart.
“Officers have made three arrests, one for showing support for a proscribed organisation, one for dangerous driving and a third for threatening and abusive behaviour.”
Counter protest is one 'of love for the Iranian people'
Sunday 15 March 2026 14:48 , Shaun WilsonStop The Hate shared a video of their counter protest against the Iranian regime, which they said was a demonstration ‘of love’ for the nation’s people
Across the river from the Al Quds day of hate - we are holding a counter protest of love for the Iranian people and those who support their freedom. pic.twitter.com/mqohLNmwiS
— Stop The Hate UK (@StopTheHate_UK) March 15, 2026
Pro-Iran protesters held up images of the late Ayatollah Khamenei who was killed in an airstrike attack on February 28, as they marked Al Quds day in Central London, with members of security trying to block media from taking images.
Crowds gather for Al Quds protest
Sunday 15 March 2026 14:21 , Shaun WilsonCrowds have gathered at Albert Embankment on the River Thames in London for the Al Quds Day demonstration.
Police had been bracing for thousands of people to attend, with hundreds of officers seen in the area.
Scores of people began arriving from 1pm, many holding Palestine flags and banners, some reading “Free Palestine” and “No to Israeli occupation”.
Pictures of Iran’s late leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei were also held up, some accompanied by the message “Choose the right side of history”.
Pro-Iran supporters chant 'From the river to the sea'
Sunday 15 March 2026 13:30 , Shaun WilsonPro-Iranian supporters have been chanting “From the river to the sea” in central London today
‘From the river to the sea, smash the Zionist entity.’ pic.twitter.com/OUCUWmW22S
— Michael Murphy (@michaelmurph_y) March 15, 2026
Al Quds day rally begins with prayers
Sunday 15 March 2026 13:28 , Shaun WilsonAl Quds protesters have been filmed beginning their demonstration with prayers
Islamic prayers and a melange of flags at the Al-Quds Day rally, now legally sanctioned because it’s a static ‘assembly’ not a march. pic.twitter.com/fnKTYQ3Tpt
— Michael Murphy (@michaelmurph_y) March 15, 2026
Counter protesters have arrived
Sunday 15 March 2026 12:58 , Shaun WilsonA group of counter-protesters have gathered on Millbank, near Westminster in central London, ahead of a demonstration organised by Stop The Hate.
Around a hundred were assembled at 12.20pm. One man held an Israel flag, while another waved a flag reading “Hamas is terrorist”.
Police vans were parked along the road and on nearby Lambeth Bridge. A police boat was seen in the River Thames.
Conditions imposed on counter-protest
Sunday 15 March 2026 12:46 , Shaun WilsonConditions have also been imposed on today’s counter protest by Stop The Hate outside the Iranian embassy:
Conditions have also been imposed on a Stop the Hate protest outside the Iranian embassy.
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) March 15, 2026
Anyone taking part must stay within the purple highlighted area on the map below and can assemble from 13:00hrs – 15:00hrs, before dispersing.
Amplified noise equipment may only be used… pic.twitter.com/rgCZo1zmxD
Less than 45 minutes until protest
Sunday 15 March 2026 12:22 , Shaun WilsonThe Met Police has reissued details of the conditions for today’s protest, expected to last from 1pm to 3pm.
Both groups can assemble from 13:00hrs - 15:00hrs then they must disperse.
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) March 15, 2026
Those taking part in the Al Quds day protest must assemble on Albert Embankment, on the south side of the River Thames. This is shown in the red highlighted area below.
The counter-protest must… pic.twitter.com/9NZ8gPeIUQ
'UK should not be at Trump's beck and call', says Davey
Sunday 15 March 2026 10:15 , Shaun WilsonLiberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said the UK should not be at “Donald Trump’s beck and call” over Iran.
Sir Ed told Sky News’s Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips programme that “de-escalation is the best way to keep the Straits of Hormuz open” and the UK “should be very careful about being dragged into a war that we didn’t start and is damaging our country and our economy”.
Asked how the UK should respond to Mr Trump’s call for warships to head to the Strait of Hormuz – the only maritime passage to the Gulf – Sir Ed said: “We should respond in our national interest, not because Donald Trump’s asked us to go and help him.
“We should take a decision based on our own analysis, working with our allies, both in the region, our European allies, as well as our American allies.
“But at the moment, I can’t see a reason that we should go.
“I don’t think we should be at Donald Trump’s beck and call. He’s got no plan. He’s thrashing around.”
Sir Ed added: “I’m deeply worried about the impact on people’s bills here, back in this country.
“So we should be clear-eyed, take decisions in our national interest, work with our partners in the region, in Europe and with the Americans when the moment looks like that an intervention might make sense.”
Al Quds Day organiser defends Iranian regime over crackdown on protests
Sunday 15 March 2026 08:39 , Sami QuadriOne of the organisers of the Al Quds Day protest in London defended the Tehran regime which has been accused of slaughtering thousands of Iranian citizens who protested against it.
Faisal Bodi from the Islamic Human Rights Commission told Times Radio: “You call these peaceful protests.
“There were mosques that were firebombed, there were armed protestors who were shooting at innocent civilians in the street to incite unrest to make it seem like it was the authorities who were doing it.
“People are entitled to peaceful protest but when they turn violent and they are goaded and incited..by the West in order to ferment an armed insurrection against the Government, then obviously anywhere in the world is going to take quite a dim view of it.”
Police impose strict conditions on Al Quds Day protest
Sunday 15 March 2026 08:29 , Sami QuadriPolice have imposed strict conditions on the Al Quds Day protest and a planned counter-demonstration in London this weekend, banning marches but allowing static gatherings to go ahead.
Following approval from the Home Secretary, the Metropolitan Police secured a month-long ban on marches linked to the demonstrations.
However, static protests remain lawful and will still take place on Sunday, 15 March.
Under the conditions, those attending the Al Quds Day protest must assemble on Albert Embankment on the south side of the River Thames, while the counter-protest will gather on Millbank on the north side of the river.
Both protests will be confined to the area between Lambeth Bridge and Vauxhall Bridge. Lambeth Bridge will be closed to all traffic except emergency vehicles, and police will maintain a presence around Vauxhall Bridge.
Participants must not gather before 1pm and must disperse by 3pm. Police warned that anyone attempting to march, or encouraging others to do so, could face arrest
