The Presidency of the European Union expresses its deep concern over the four-year prison sentence imposed on Mr Hossein Rassam, an employee of the British Embassy in Tehran, which represents an attack on normal diplomatic activity. The EU considers the sentence unjustified and harsh, and urges the Iranian authorities to overturn it swiftly.

The Presidency reiterates that any action against one EU country (a citizen or member of embassy staff) is considered an action against the entire EU, and will be treated accordingly.

The Presidency has today conveyed this message to the Iranian ambassador in Stockholm.