This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/8123579.stm

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Iran 'frees five' from UK embassy Iran frees five from UK embassy
(40 minutes later)
Five of the local staff at the British embassy detained in Tehran have been released, Iranian officials say. Five out of nine local staff from the UK embassy detained in Tehran have been released, Iranian officials say.
Iran's media earlier said several Iranian staff at the UK mission were held over their role in protests against a disputed presidential poll. Iran's media earlier said local employees at the UK mission were held over their role in protests against June's disputed presidential election.
It is unclear how many embassy staff are still being held. British Foreign Secretary David Miliband has dismissed the Tehran's allegations as baseless. UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband has dismissed the allegations as baseless.
Separately, Iran's top legislative body began a partial recount of June's poll. Separately, Iran's top legislative body began a partial recount of the poll - a move rejected by defeated opposition candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi.
"Eight people were arrested. Five were freed and three are still being interrogated," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Hassan Ghashghavi said at a news conference on Monday. "Out of nine people, five of them have been released and the rest are being interrogated," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Hassan Ghashghavi said at a news conference, state television Press TV reported.
Iran's state television Press TV earlier reported that there had been a total of nine arrests. Iran's Intelligence Minister Gholam-Hoseyn Mohseni-Ezhei on Sunday said "the British embassy played a crucial role in the recent unrest both through its local staff and via media", Iran's Irna news agency reported.
Despite the reported releases, the fact that some employees are still being held means the issue remains a serious problem for the UK, the BBC's Middle East editor Jeremy Bowen in Tehran says. "We have photos and videos of certain local employees of the British embassy, who collected news about the protests," the minister said.
There is no plan at the moment to close any embassy or downgrade ties with themquote here Hassan Ghashghavi, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman
Despite the releases - which have now been been confirmed by the BBC - the fact that some employees are still being held means the issue remains a serious problem for the UK, our Middle East editor Jeremy Bowen in Tehran says.
On Sunday, the European Union warned Iran that "harassment or intimidation" of embassy staff would be met with a "strong and collective" response.On Sunday, the European Union warned Iran that "harassment or intimidation" of embassy staff would be met with a "strong and collective" response.
Iran has repeatedly accused foreign powers - especially Britain and the US - of meddling after the 12 June election.
In the fallout from the crisis, Tehran has expelled two British diplomats and the UK has responded with a similar measure.
However, Mr Ghashghavi said on Monday that "there is no plan at the moment to close any embassy or downgrade ties with them".
Some 17 people are thought to have died in street protests after the disputed presidential poll, which the opposition complains was rigged.
At least 1,000 opposition supporters are reported to have staged a noisy rally outside a mosque in Tehran on Sunday evening before it was broken up by police and militia.
Riot police used tear gas and clubs to disperse the crowd outside the Ghoba Mosque, Iranian eyewitnesses said.
The report could not be independently verified because of reporting restrictions on foreign media.
Poll verdict due
In a separate development, Iran's state TV said the recount had started on Monday in the capital Tehran as well as in the country's provinces.In a separate development, Iran's state TV said the recount had started on Monday in the capital Tehran as well as in the country's provinces.
Iran's Guardian Council has offered to recount a random 10% of the votes from the 12 June election.Iran's Guardian Council has offered to recount a random 10% of the votes from the 12 June election.
The process was expected to be completed later on Monday and the result would be announced shortly afterwards, al-Alam television said.The process was expected to be completed later on Monday and the result would be announced shortly afterwards, al-Alam television said.
But Mr Mousavi insists the poll was rigged and therefore should be annulled.But Mr Mousavi insists the poll was rigged and therefore should be annulled.
Current President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was declared the poll's winner - a move that triggered mass street protests.Current President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was declared the poll's winner - a move that triggered mass street protests.