(Image source: RT)

BY CHRISTINA HARTMAN

A new low in already frosty relations between Iran and the U.K.

Iranian students breached the gates of the UK embassy in Tehran, burning UK, Israeli, and U.S. flags. (Video from RT)

The BBC reports, “A year ago today an Iranian nuclear scientist was killed. People in Iran blamed Britain, Britain denied the charge. But nevertheless, there was this demonstration.”

As the BBC noted, the UK has denied any involvement in the assassination of that nuclear scientist one year ago. Still, Iran’s official FARS News reports it as fact.

“...Iran is commemorating the first martyrdom anniversary of its nuclear scientist Majid Shahriari who was assassinated by the Israeli Mossad agency supported by the British MI6.”

Still, the ice between the two nations has been hardening for some time now.

Over the weekend, CNN reports, the Iranian Parliament voted overwhelmingly to downgrade relations with the UK. That, in response to financial sanctions imposed on Iran by Britain earlier this month, stemming from concerns over Iran’s nuclear program.

But a report from Iran’s state-run Press TV, posted by the UK’s The Telegraph, indicates many Iranians believe the UK is behind a conspiracy against the Islamic Republic.

“So far Britain has not been very openly doing activities but in reality and if you follow the roots of all the conspiracies and the hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran, Britain should be accountable. And this is not my word, this is the word of experts, analysts and most of the students who have gathered...”

Within about two hours, Iranian police dispersed the protesters -- who according to the AP shouted slogans like “Death to England.” Protesters say they want the Iranian government to immediately expel Britain’s ambassador and fully cut all ties to Britain and, a step beyond the simple downgrade of relations approved over the weekend.  

The Financial Times notes the timing:
“The attack on the embassy comes ahead of a scheduled meeting on Thursday of European Union foreign ministers who are likely to take further EU action to apply economic sanctions on the Iranian regime. There has been speculation that France could use the meeting to place an embargo on imports of Iranian oil.”

In a statement on its website the UK Foreign Office says it’s “outraged” by the incident calling it “utterly unacceptable.”