The British embassy in Tehran was attacked with petrol bombs and rocks yesterday as hundreds of Iranian militamen protested over the bombing of one of Shi'ite Islam's holiest shrines in neighbouring Iraq.More than 700 protesters, mainly from the student wing of the official Basij militia, scuffled with anti-riot police after lobbing Molotov cocktails and rocks at the walls and gate of the already battered city-centre compound.

They chanted anti-UK slogans. The stars and stripes was also torched, as were the flags of several European nations. More than 200 police were on hand, and extinguished any flames on the walls of the mission before dispersing the rally.

PHOTO CAPTION

Iranian anti-riot police move on a protestor during a gathering outside the British Embassy in Tehran, on Sunday Feb. 26, 2006. (AP)