European leaders finally began to throw their weight behind Britain today after Iran announced that British embassy staff would be forced to stand trial in Tehran.

In a co-ordinated diplomatic move, EU nations responded by simultaneously summoning Iranian ambassadors across Europe. They will be asked to explain the arrest of British diplomats for allegedly inciting the violence and demonstrations that greeted the re-election of President Ahmadinejad.

The EU had last night rebuffed calls from London to withdraw ambassadors from Iran after nine British officials were arrested. But today Iran’s top legislative body announced that some of the diplomats would be charged and face trial, prompting a firmer response from Europe.

Carl Bildt, the Foreign Minister of Sweden, which assumed the EU presidency this week, said: “It’s not acceptable to file charges against the ones released or the ones still in custody.”

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The Iran crisis demonstrates the difficulty of moving the EU beyond rhetoric and to co-ordinated action

David Charter

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The Swedes were reluctant to make any diplomatic moves before the upcoming G8 meeting but the EU has now agreed a strongly worded joint letter expected to be published tomorrow. The letter will threaten to implement visa restrictions unless the Iranian regime modifies its stance.

President Sarkozy of France said that Britain could count on total solidarity. He said that France had always wanted to strengthen sanctions against the Iranian regime “so that Iranian leaders will really understand that the path that they have chosen will be a dead end ... our solidarity with our English friends is total”.

“It’s up to the British to tell us what they need,” he said.

The Government sought urgent clarification and expressed deep concern today when the head of the Guardian Council in Tehran announced that some of the British officials would be tried in a local court.

Mr Ahmadinejad has repeatedly blamed foreign powers, specifically Britain, for stirring up the protests that greeted his discredited re-election on June 12.

Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati, head of the Guardian Council, which ratified the presidential election on Monday, said: “In these incidents [the British] embassy had a presence, some people were arrested. Naturally they will be put on trial. They have made confessions.”

According to the British Government, seven of nine local staff originally detained by the Iranian authorities have now been released. A Foreign and Commonwealth Office spokesman denied that embassy staff took any part in demonstrations and demanded more information from Tehran.

“We are very concerned by these reports and are investigating,” a spokesman said. “Allegations that our staff were involved in fomenting unrest are wholly without foundation. We will be seeking an urgent explanation from the Iranians.”

Gordon Brown’s official spokesman added: “We are concerned about these reports and we are seeking clarification on this as a matter of urgency.”

Tehran announced more arrests in the post-election turmoil last night, detaining seven alleged provocateurs of violence it says were linked to Iranian exiles. The latest round of arrests underlines the authorities’ drive to portray protests as the work of outsiders rather than a reflection of widespread popular dismay.

Although the EU nations rejected the British proposal to recall all envoys last night, officials said today that the option was still on the table.

The incoming Swedish presidency of the EU, which took the reins on Wednesday, has sought to strike a less aggressive diplomatic note, more in tune with Berlin and a number of other EU capitals.

Confirming a split among the EU powers, Cecilia Malmstrom, the Swedish Europe Minister, told The Times: “We are listening. There are different views.”

Most countries would prefer to wait until the G8, when China and America will be present, to increase the pressure on Tehran but today’s developments may force a rethink for some governments.

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