Gordon Brown has called Iran's expulsion and arrest of British diplomats and Embassy staff unacceptable, unjustified and without foundation and said that those still under arrest should now be released.

During a press conference following his meeting with José Manuel Barroso, the President of the European Commission, and Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, 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. Iran’s actions - first the expulsion of two diplomats, now the arrest of a number of our locally-engaged staff - is unacceptable, unjustified and without foundation.'

Notes for Editors

Source: Foreign and Commonwealth Office website, Number 10 website

Read the EU Foreign Ministers' statement on the situation in Iran

Iran travel advice

UKinIran British Embassy website

Iran country profile

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