Washington, June 30 (DPA) US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton Monday deplored the detention of Iranian staffers at the British embassy in Tehran and called for their release.
“We find that the harassment of embassy staff is deplorable, and we will continue to support the United Kingdom in calling for their release,” Clinton told reporters.
Iranian authorities reportedly detained at least five embassy staffers, accusing them of participating in the ongoing demonstrations over the country’s disputed election.
Tens of thousands of Iranians have taken to the streets on a daily basis since the June 12 balloting, accusing the government of rigging the outcome to ensure President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s re-election.
The protestors back reformist Mir-Hossein Moussavi. Iran’s top legislature the Guardian Council Monday certified Ahmadinejad’s victory.
