London - The British Council cultural organization has suspended its operations in Iran after a campaign of "staff intimidation" by the authorities, its head confirmed Thursday.

The cultural and educational body closed its doors in Tehran after its 16 local staff were forced to resign by the office of the president, Martin Davidson, head of the London-based organization, said.

There have been no British staff at the council since Tehran stopped granting visas two years ago, Davidson, told the BBC News website.

Davidson alleged that a campaign of intimidation and pressure had been growing steadily.

"These actions by the Iranian authorities are unacceptable," he said. "They are designed to pressurize our staff with the clear intention of stopping our cultural and educational work in the country."

There has been no official comment from Iran but an embassy spokesman in London said it would investigate the allegations, the BBC reported.

Davidson said after the council's British staff stopped working in the country, representatives of the 16 local employees were summoned to the Iranian Office of the President in December and ordered to resign.

"It was a very deliberate act that essentially made it impossible for us to operate there," he said. Operations could only resume when employees were able to conduct their work "without fear of intimidation or harassment," Davidson added.

The British Council estimates that about 13,000 Iranians took part in its programmes in Tehran last year, which included English lessons and research partnerships. (dpa)