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No downgrading of ties with Britain, says Iran
Iran dismissed the idea of downgrading diplomatic relations with Britain yesterday despite soaring tensions between the two countries after Iranian authorities detained local British Embassy employees for allegedly stirring up post-election unrest.
Britain has angrily denied that any Iranian staff at its embassy in Tehran had been involved in opposition challenges to the regime. On Sunday, the European Union condemned the detentions as "harassment and intimidation" and demanded the immediate release of those still in custody.
Iran has accused the West of stoking unrest, singling out Britain and the US. Both countries have expressed concern about the ferocity of the regime's crackdown on supporters of opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi, who claims he was robbed of victory in a June 12 presidential election through massive and widespread vote fraud.
Iranian officials had said they were considering downgrading ties with Britain, which expelled two Iranian diplomats last week – a retaliatory move after Iran ousted two British envoys.
But in a press conference broadcast on state TV yesterday a foreign ministry spokesman said: "Reduction of diplomatic ties is not on our agenda for any country, including Britain."
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Weather for Yorkshire
Saturday 26 May 2012
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Sunny
Temperature: 8 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
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