Iran 'brings charges against embassy official'

British embassy staff in Iran could face trial over Tehran protests

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Friday, 03, Jul 2009 05:01

Iran has reportedly brought a formal charge against one British embassy official in Tehran.

According to a report in the Guardian newspaper, a 44-year-old Iranian who is the British embassy's chief political analyst will be put on trial.

The Foreign Office is investigating the report.

Two of the nine diplomats detained last weekend remain under arrest in Tehran. Yesterday, Ayatollah Jannati of the Guardian Council suggested they could stand trial for fomenting unrest in the aftermath of last month's disputed presidential election.

Mr Miliband spoke with his Iranian counterpart Manouchehr Mottaki yesterday in a bid to resolve the situation. The pair have never met in person.

"We are urgently seeking clarification from the appropriate Iranian authorities," he said in a statement.

"We are confident that our staff have not engaged in any improper or illegal behaviour. We remain deeply concerned about the two members of our staff who remain in detention in Iran."