Iranian authorities said Wednesday they have arrested several foreign nationals, some with British passports, in connection with the country’s post-election unrest.

Intelligence Minister Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ezhei told reporters that some with links to the West and Israel had planned bombings ahead of the June 12 presidential election, the government-funded Press TV reported Wednesday.

“England is among the countries that fan the flames with their heavy propaganda, which is against all diplomatic norms,” the intelligence minister was quoted in the semi-official Fars news agency. “And the BBC Farsi has also played a major role. Also, a number of people carrying British passports have played a role in the recent disturbances.”

The British foreign office said it was looking into the allegations.

“We have seen reports of the arrest of British nationals in Iran,” the foreign office said. “Consular colleagues and the embassy in Tehran are making enquiries.”

The Iranian government has long blamed foreign countries, especially Britain, for meddling in its affairs but has not offered up proof.

Tehran said Wednesday it temporarily was recalling its ambassador from London, another move in escalating tit-for-tat gestures between the two governments.

On Tuesday, Britain expelled two Iranian diplomats. A day earlier, Iran asked two British diplomats to leave.

Press TV said Wednesday that police have identified a building in central Tehran that was being used as a “headquarters” to foment post-election unrest.

The television station, citing unnamed sources, said the building was used by campaign staffers of opposition leader Mir Hossein Moussavi. Evidence indicated that “foreign elements” were behind the planning, Press TV said.

While the government stepped up its allegations against foreign nations, Tehran residents waited Wednesday to see whether a planned massive peaceful demonstration panned out.

Demonstrators who have taken to the streets in the capital city and elsewhere were expected to gather at a square near the parliament building Wednesday afternoon, according to hints posted on social networking sites.

People in Tehran and elsewhere said they were too afraid to talk about the political crisis over the phone.

Residents said the Internet was the best way to transmit information about the unrest. However, the spotty connection made it difficult to rely on the Web.

The difficulty in accessing information has been compounded by a government clampdown on foreign media.

International journalists have been banned from covering the protests, prompting media outlets to rely on citizens who are using social networking Web sites to send out videos and photos depicting scenes of chaos.

According to Reporters Without Borders, 36 journalists have been arrested, 26 of them Iranian, since the June 12 presidential election while “many others” are missing.

(Source: CNN)