World | Iran Iran Detains British Embassy Staff Says 8 local employees had taken part in election protests By Newser Editors and Wire Services Posted Jun 28, 2009 9:46 AM CDT Copied 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) Iranian authorities have detained several local employees of the British Embassy in Tehran, a move that Britain's foreign secretary today called "harassment and intimidation" and reflected a hardening of the regime's stance toward the West. Iranian media said eight local embassy staff were detained for an alleged role in post-election protests, but gave no further details. British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said "about nine" employees were detained yesterday and that four had been released. The detentions signaled a further toughening of Iran's dealings with the West, which has become increasingly vocal in its condemnation of a crackdown on opposition supporters. Last week, Iran expelled two British diplomats, and Britain responded in kind. Read These Next White House rolls with Trump's 'daddy' nickname. New Fox star, 23, misses first day after car troubles. Supreme Court ruling is a big blow to Planned Parenthood. Man accused of killing his daughters might be dead. Report an error