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Iran has released five of the nine British embassy staff arrested in Tehran but diplomatic relations still show no signs of improving.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office today confirmed Iranian state media reports that “several” of the detained staff had been set free.
They were arrested by the authorities for their “considerable role” in unrest after the contested elections on 12 June. The Iranian government today held a partial recount, with the Guardian Council, Iran's electoral supervision body, saying it would check a random 10 per cent of ballots.
The decision to release the embassy employees was made after a phone call between Foreign Secretary David Miliband and Iranian foreign minister Manouchehr Mottaki last night, according to Iranian reports.
At a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Corfu, Mr Miliband said: “This is harassment and intimidation of a kind which is quite unacceptable.
“The idea that the British Embassy is somehow behind the demonstrations and protests that have been taking place in Tehran in recent weeks is wholly without foundation. We have protested in strong terms, directly to the Iranian authorities.”
The EU demanded that Iran abide by international rules protecting local employees and release those arrested. The foreign ministers said they wanted to make it “clear to the Iranian authorities that harassment or intimidation of foreign or Iranian staff working in embassies will be met with a strong and collective EU response”.
Tehran has accused London of interfering in its internal affairs by criticising the heavy handed reaction to protests, sparking a round of tit-for-tat diplomatic expulsions.
Reader views (2)
Fear of Milliband made them release the detainees. Come on, no government in the world is that feeble. No, don't tell me, he was going to get really cross with them, and put them on the naughty step if they didn't do as they were told.
- Alan, carlisle uk
The Iranian embassy staff spy for the Iranian government, so do not see what the problem is here? They are arresting their own people!
- Frank, Home Counties, England.
