UK, EU demand release of British Embassy staff detained by Iran

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Iran took at least eight local employees of the British Embassy in Tehran into custody for an alleged role in post-election protests.

Four were later released. Britain and the European Union are demanding Iran free the remaining staff members.

Britain's foreign secretary David Miliband says they have protested the detentions with the Iranian authorities, saying the Iranian move is unacceptable.

David Miliband, Britain's foreign secretary, said, "We're in continuous contact with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tehran. We look to them to make clear representations inside the Iranian system for the release of these diplomats, and we are awaiting developments."

Iranian state TV later confirmed the arrest and accused the detainees of being responsible for Iran's post-election violence.

British Foreign Minister David Miliband looks on ahead a meeting of EU foreign ministers on Iran on the island of Corfu, Greece, on Sunday, June 28, 2009.(AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)