British embassy evacuates staff families

TEHRAN, June 22 (UPI) -- The British Foreign Office said Monday it is evacuating the families of embassy staff in Iran and is advising against non-essential travel to the country.

The moves follow days of demonstrations and a government crackdown on protesters following Iran's June 12 election in which President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was declared the landslide winner over his nearest challenger, moderate Mir Hossein Mousavi, The Guardian reported.

Since the elections, protests have occurred daily and turned violent. Iranian news sources reported 13 people died Saturday. CNN reported hospital sources as putting the number dead at 19 while other unconfirmed sources indicated the toll was as high as 150.

"The ongoing violence has ... had a significant impact on the families of our staff, who have been unable to carry on their lives as normal," the Foreign Office said in a statement. "As a result, we are withdrawing dependents of embassy staff until the situation improves."

Staff reductions weren't considered necessary now, but "we are monitoring the situation with the utmost vigilance," the office said. "The security of our staff is of paramount importance."

The Foreign Office also said visitors to Iran should avoid demonstrations and large public gatherings because "(further) violence is possible."