EU: Putting UK embassy staff in Iran on trial is 'not acceptable'

Stockholm: The European Union says Iran's decision to put detained British Embassy staff on trial is "not acceptable."

The 27-nation bloc is considering a British request to recall EU ambassadors from Tehran to protest the detentions of local embassy staff.

Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt said he is awaiting confirmation of reports that Iran will put some of the detained staffers on trial.

He says in a statement on Friday that "it's not acceptable to file charges against the ones released or to the ones still in custody."

Sweden holds the EU presidency.

Bildt said on Thursday the EU is taking a "step-by-step" approach to Iran, suggesting it would give Iran a chance to release the detainees before deciding on sanctions.