LONDON, Feb. 4 (UPI) -- The British Council says it has suspended its operations in Tehran amid another crackdown on its staff by the Iranian president's office.
The council, which seeks to build cultural and educational links between the people of Britain and Iran, says the decision to suspend operations in the Islamic republic came after a December incident in which most of the 16 locally appointed staff members were told by the president's office that they should resign.
The organization said the incident follows one where two of its staff members had their passports confiscated after attempting to leave the country to go to a routine meeting.
"These actions by the Iranian authorities are unacceptable. They are designed to pressurize our staff with the clear intention of stopping our cultural and educational work in the country," said Martin Davidson, chief executive of the British Council.
"I welcome the fact that the Iranians have cultural centers here and want the British people to better understand their country through this kind of work. But this cannot be a one-way street," Davidson added.
