Britain Angered by Embassy Arrests in Tehran

The post-electoral unrest in Iran takes on a new international angle. From the Times of London:

"Britain reacted angrily yesterday to the arrest of at least eight Iranians working for the British Embassy in Tehran, calling the move unacceptable 'harassment and intimidation'.

The eight, who are thought to work in the embassy’s political section, are accused of playing a 'significant role' in opposition protests. Their detention has dismayed Western governments. EU foreign ministers demanded the release of the eight and said that intimidation of their diplomatic staff in Tehran would provoke a 'strong and collective response'. Sources told The Times that if Britain was forced to close its embassy the 26 other EU states would probably follow suit.

David Miliband, the Foreign Secretary, said: 'These are hard-working diplomatic staff and 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.'

Sources close to Mr Miliband said that the Foreign Secretary’s carefully calibrated message masked a deep anger at what is considered a cynical attempt by Iran’s rulers to distract attention from their domestic problems."