Two opposing protests took place across London today as attendees voiced starkly contrasting views on US-Israeli military action against Iran - with swipes at the Prime Minister from both sides.
Hundreds of anti-war activists marched through the capital demanding an end to the bombing campaign, whilst a smaller gathering assembled to express gratitude for US and Israeli intervention.
Outside the Iranian embassy in Kensington, the Stage for Freedom group gathered beside a prominent banner reading: "Thank you, Mr President Donald John Trump. Thank you, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu".
Their display condemned the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps "and its tyrant leadership", stating it has "left profound wounds on many families" during the 47 years following the Islamic Revolution.
The banner expressed sorrow over casualties, declaring: "Iranians are deeply heartbroken by the loss of American soldiers' lives and those who were killed in Israel".
It continued: "We send our love and prayers for those who stood against oppression and gave their precious lives in the hope of a safer, freer world".
Several demonstrators held placards asserting that Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran's last shah who was deposed in the 1979 Islamic Revolution, should be recognised as the sole legitimate leader of any transitional Iranian government.
Protesters brandished Iranian, American and Israeli flags whilst chanting "Israel, USA, thank you, thank you" and "UK Government, shame on you, shame on you".
Protestors slam Keir Starmer's government over handling of Iran conflict - 'shame on you' | GETTY
Calls to "shut the Islamic terrorist embassy" were also heard from the crowd.
Sir Keir's response to the conflict has been criticised by both those who oppose the conflict, and those who support it.
Some say the prime Minister's delayed decision making has fallen short of expectations, compromising the "special relationship" with the US, and that more should've been done sooner.
However, others have deemed the deployment of HMS Dragon to the region, and the granting of permission for the US to act defensively from UK bases, is already a foot over the line - dragging the UK into a war we have no part in.
IRAN LATEST
- Keir Starmer accused of 'covering up' Iran's attack on Chagos Islands as PM told to 'come clean'
- UK slams Iran's 'reckless attacks' on Diego Garcia as Tehran issues chilling 'British lives in danger' warning
- Watch moment massive clouds of smoke billow into sky after Israel blitzes ballistic missile storage site in Iran
Protestors slam Keir Starmer's government over handling of Iran conflict - 'shame on you'
|PA
Approximately two and a half miles away from the Stage for freedom protest, a larger demonstration, organised by Stop the War Coalition, wound its way from Russell Square to Downing Street.
Participants carried signs condemning Trump's foreign policy, and calling on Keir Starmer to halt arms supplies to Israel.
The procession formed part of a nationwide "Stop Bombing Iran Day of Action", with similar events held in Manchester, Birmingham, Cardiff and west Cornwall.
The Stop the War Coalition had previously stated its position clearly: "We demand nothing short of a complete break from Trump and his criminal foreign policy".
Marchers walked behind banners from the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and Palestine Solidarity Campaign, brandishing placards with messages including "end nuclear hypocrisy" and "stop bombing Iran".
Shabbir Lakha, speaking on behalf of Stop the War Coalition in Whitehall, told the crowd that people in Iran, Palestine and Lebanon are observing Eid "under the hail of American and Israeli bombs next to the rubble of their homes and the graves of their loved ones".
He declared: "Let us be done with Starmer's lies that Britain is not involved in this war".