Britain evacuates embassy staff from Iran

TEHRAN: Britain was evacuating all its diplomatic staff from Iran on Wednesday, a day after protesters stormed its embassy in Tehran in scenes that prompted international outrage.

Norway said it had temporarily closed its embassy but its diplomats continued to work from elsewhere in Tehran. Other European missions were evaluating the situation.

Britain warned "serious consequences" would follow Tuesday's attacks on its two diplomatic compounds in the Iranian capital, one of which contained its embassy.

The protesters rampaged for hours through the properties, tearing down the British flag, smashing windows, trashing offices, setting documents alight, and briefly blocking the movements of six British diplomats.

The protesters had been taking part in demonstrations in front of the British compounds with the approval of authorities, to reflect official anger at Britain's announcement last week that it was cutting all relations with Iran's financial sector.--AFP