Gordon Brown has described the detention of British Embassy staff in Iran as "unacceptable" and "unjustified" as he called for the release of four officials still being held.

The Prime Minister said: "We are deeply disappointed that Iran has detained some of Britain's staff in Tehran.

"Some have now been released but we must now see that the others are set free to resume their work."

He added that Iran's actions were "unacceptable, unjustified and without foundation, and we, with our international partners, will continue to make this clear to the Iranian regime".

The diplomatic row with Iran intensified after nine embassy employees were arrested at the weekend. While some have been released, Downing Street said four staff were still being detained.

Mr Brown was speaking at a joint press conference with Jose Manuel Barroso, the President of the European Commission, who expressed his "full solidarity" with the UK.

"Intimidation, harassment are unacceptable," Mr Barroso said.

The European Union has already warned of a "strong and collective reponse".

Iranian media announced yesterday morning that the embassy staff had been detained due to their "considerable role" in unrest which followed contested elections on June 12. 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.

The EU, whose foreign ministers met in Corfu, issued a joint statement demanding that Iran abide by international rules protecting local employees and release all those arrested.

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