Foreign secretary David Miliband has pledged to speak to the "appropriate" authorities within Iran after a senior figure raised the possibility of trying British embassy staff.

Two of the nine diplomats detained last weekend remain under arrest in Tehran. Earlier today Ayatollah Jannati of the Guardian Council suggested they could stand trial for fomenting unrest in the aftermath of last month’s disputed presidential election.

Mr Miliband will speak with his Iranian counterpart Manouchehr Mottaki later today in a bid to resolve the situation. The pair have never met in person.

"We are urgently seeking clarification from the appropriate Iranian authorities," he said in a statement.

"We are confident that our staff have not engaged in any improper or illegal behaviour. We remain deeply concerned about the two members of our staff who remain in detention in Iran."

Yesterday Britain succeeded in winning agreement across the EU about a move condemning Iran’s actions. Across its 27 member states Iranian ambassadors will be summoned to explain themselves and receive a protest.

"The UK is very happy with the EU actions thus far. The clear solidarity the EU has shown has had an effect," a Foreign Office spokesperson said.

"With seven out of nine detained staff now released the EU has been clear it stands together on this issue: action against one EU member state is action against all."

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