Britain evacuates embassy families from Tehran as anti-UK feeling grows in Iran

The Telegraph ^ | 6/22/2009 | Damien McElroy

[bruinbirdman]

Britain has begun evacuating the families of diplomats based in Tehran after pro-regime student leaders made plans to march on the embassy on Tuesday.

Previous demonstrations outside the British embassy have led to violent attacks on the mission in which grenades have been thrown.

The order to withdraw, which does not yet apply to embassy staff, also came as Iranian officials threatened to sever ties with the UK.

A Foreign Office spokesman said: "The ongoing violence has also had a significant impact on the families of our staff who have been unable to carry on their lives as normal.

"As a result we are withdrawing dependants of embassy staff until the situation improves."

Iranian officials have accused Western powers, particularly Britain, of instigating protests against the clerical regime in the wake of the disputed election.

Hardliners in the regime further inflamed tensions in Tehran yesterday by warning that "revolutionary" activities would be crushed.

A statement from Revolutionary Guard revived the language of the 1979 Islamic revolution to warn protesters to give up the "illegal" marches.

"If not, they should expect a decisive and revolutionary confrontation from the children of the Iranian nation in the Guards, the Basiji militia and other police and security forces to end the mutiny and riots," it said.

But Iranian protesters defied the threats to renew demonstrations in Tehran last night. Police fired live ammunition and tear gas at almost 1,000 demonstrators who had made it through roadblocks manned by militia members. Two days after more than 10 people were killed, the capital's streets had been practically deserted until the late afternoon clashes in Haft-e Tir square.

The main presidential challenger, Mir-Hossein Mousavi, implored supporters to renew street protests and defy the threat of a brutal crackdown by the security forces. In pro-Mousavi districts of northern

[Carley]

The BBC has drawn well deserved vitriol from the Iranian protesters.

[muleskinner]

Pro-regime student leaders???.....Oh, please.

How about Pro-regime high school drop-outs who are members of the Revolutionay Guard.

[sionnsar]

From what I hear the Brits have never been popular with the Iranian people. Unlike the American people, who are well-liked to this day.

A picture from the Bam earthquake. It's not at all "gay" as it looks, I am told -- Persians love their roses and this is a significant greeting/gift. Maybe the Persian FReepers can comment further on this