Iranians hold British Reporter....

This regime has got to go....we need bold action from the west...

Senior Iranian officials said Jason Fowden, who had been working for the Washington Times, was among British passport holders who had been detained for underground activities.

Hossein Mohseni Ejeii, the country's intelligence minister, accused Britons of formenting protests against the regime.

"Some people with British passports were involved in recent riots," he said. "One of the detainees collected information needed by the enemies under the guise of a reporter.

"Britain was one of the countries which fuelled the situation by strong propaganda and some undiplomatic measures."

Mr Fowden, who also has a Greek passport and is known by the name Iason Athanasiadis, was initially arrested a week ago for overstaying his visa in Iran.

Greek diplomats are leading efforts to secure his release but have not yet been able to visit him in prison.