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UK seeks Iran trial clarification UK seeks Iran trial clarification
(about 2 hours later)
British diplomats are trying to establish whether Iran intends to act on its threats to prosecute staff from the UK's embassy in Tehran.British diplomats are trying to establish whether Iran intends to act on its threats to prosecute staff from the UK's embassy in Tehran.
On Friday, a top cleric said some staff members would be tried for inciting protests over Iran's disputed election.On Friday, a top cleric said some staff members would be tried for inciting protests over Iran's disputed election.
Iran says the UK is trying to undermine the Islamic regime by fomenting discontent - a charge Britain denies.Iran says the UK is trying to undermine the Islamic regime by fomenting discontent - a charge Britain denies.
Foreign Secretary David Miliband says he is "deeply concerned" and has asked for talks with his Iranian counterpart.Foreign Secretary David Miliband says he is "deeply concerned" and has asked for talks with his Iranian counterpart.
'Confessions''Confessions'
Protests gripped Tehran and other Iranian cities after June's presidential election, amid claims the vote had been rigged in favour of the incumbent, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.Protests gripped Tehran and other Iranian cities after June's presidential election, amid claims the vote had been rigged in favour of the incumbent, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Ayatollah Jannati: "After the election, the enemy made an effort to poison the people"Ayatollah Jannati: "After the election, the enemy made an effort to poison the people"
On Friday, Ahmad Jannati, leader of the Iran's supreme legislative body the Guardian Council, said: "The British Embassy had a presence and some people were arrested.On Friday, Ahmad Jannati, leader of the Iran's supreme legislative body the Guardian Council, said: "The British Embassy had a presence and some people were arrested.
"Well inevitably they will be put on trial. They have made confessions too.""Well inevitably they will be put on trial. They have made confessions too."
However, he did not say how many employees would be tried or on what charges.However, he did not say how many employees would be tried or on what charges.
Iran's semi-official Fars news agency reported this week that one of the detainees had played a "remarkable role during the recent unrest in managing it behind the scenes".Iran's semi-official Fars news agency reported this week that one of the detainees had played a "remarkable role during the recent unrest in managing it behind the scenes".
Nine embassy staff were held last weekend. Britain says all but two have now been freed.Nine embassy staff were held last weekend. Britain says all but two have now been freed.
Mr Miliband said Britain was urgently seeking clarification from Iran about a possible trial and remained "deeply concerned" about the two staff members in detention.Mr Miliband said Britain was urgently seeking clarification from Iran about a possible trial and remained "deeply concerned" about the two staff members in detention.
IRAN UNREST 12 June presidential election saw incumbent Mahmoud Ahmadinejad re-elected with 63% of voteMain challenger Mir Hossein Mousavi called for result to be annulled for electoral fraudStreet protests saw at least 17 people killed and foreign media restricted Britain and Iran's fraught history Your questions answered Q&A: Election aftermath How Iran is ruled Who's who in Iran Send us your commentsIRAN UNREST 12 June presidential election saw incumbent Mahmoud Ahmadinejad re-elected with 63% of voteMain challenger Mir Hossein Mousavi called for result to be annulled for electoral fraudStreet protests saw at least 17 people killed and foreign media restricted Britain and Iran's fraught history Your questions answered Q&A: Election aftermath How Iran is ruled Who's who in Iran Send us your comments
"We are confident that our staff have not engaged in any improper or illegal behaviour," he said."We are confident that our staff have not engaged in any improper or illegal behaviour," he said.
The Foreign Office later confirmed that Iranian envoy Rasoul Movahedian had been summoned and the same message reiterated.The Foreign Office later confirmed that Iranian envoy Rasoul Movahedian had been summoned and the same message reiterated.
European Union governments have summoned Iranian ambassadors to protest against the detentions.European Union governments have summoned Iranian ambassadors to protest against the detentions.
An EU official told the BBC that, in addition, visas for Iranians holding Iranian diplomatic passports would be suspended.An EU official told the BBC that, in addition, visas for Iranians holding Iranian diplomatic passports would be suspended.
The official said other measures, including the withdrawal of EU ambassadors from Iran, would be considered if the two staff members were not released.The official said other measures, including the withdrawal of EU ambassadors from Iran, would be considered if the two staff members were not released.
BBC diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus says Ayatollah Jannati's speech marks a significant deterioration in the already bad relationship between London and Tehran.BBC diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus says Ayatollah Jannati's speech marks a significant deterioration in the already bad relationship between London and Tehran.
Tehran has repeatedly accused foreign powers - especially Britain and the US - of stoking unrest after the election.Tehran has repeatedly accused foreign powers - especially Britain and the US - of stoking unrest after the election.
In the fallout from the crisis, Tehran expelled two British diplomats and the UK responded with a similar measure.In the fallout from the crisis, Tehran expelled two British diplomats and the UK responded with a similar measure.
Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, last month described Britain, as the "most evil" of its enemies.Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, last month described Britain, as the "most evil" of its enemies.
The issue of how to deal with Iran is set to dominate the summit of the Group of Eight (G8) industrialised nations in Italy next week.The issue of how to deal with Iran is set to dominate the summit of the Group of Eight (G8) industrialised nations in Italy next week.
Some EU countries have urged caution, arguing that Europe should engage with Iran, not isolate it.Some EU countries have urged caution, arguing that Europe should engage with Iran, not isolate it.
But if the embassy staff are put on trial, the EU may have few other options than to tighten the diplomatic screw, correspondents say.But if the embassy staff are put on trial, the EU may have few other options than to tighten the diplomatic screw, correspondents say.