The British government said today it was “concerned” about reports that British Embassy staff in Tehran will face trial.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s spokesman said urgent clarification was being sought from the Iranian government regarding the claims.
Senior Iranian cleric Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati made the announcement in a prayer sermon earlier today.
Eight embassy staff were arrested at the weekend amid rapidly deteriorating relations with Iran since the disputed re-election of president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
"Eight local employees at the British embassy who had a considerable role in recent unrest were taken into custody," the semi-official Fars News Agency said following the arrests. "This group played an active role in provoking recent unrest."
Reuters