AP: Syria's leader sent a July 4 message full of praise to President Barack Obama on Friday and invited him to visit Syria — the latest signs Damascus is hedging its bets in Mideast politics, warming up to its rival the United States at a time when its longtime ally Iran is in turmoil.

Reuters: European Union countries summoned Iranian ambassadors Friday to protest against the detention of Iranian staff of the British embassy in Tehran and warned of tougher steps next week if they are not freed.

Reuters: Britain's Foreign Office said on Friday it was "very concerned" by reports from Iran that local embassy staff may face trial in connection with demonstrations against last month's presidential election.

AFP: A powerful Iranian cleric said on Friday that some local British embassy staff will be put on trial for allegedly stoking post-election violence, a move set to put further strain on their frayed ties.

Reuters: EU countries were studying steps to protest at Iran's crackdown on dissent on Friday, including a coordinated summoning of Tehran's ambassadors in Europe and visa bans on Iranian officials, diplomats said.

AFP: The European Union is considering banning certain Iranian officials from travelling to Europe in response to the recent political unrest, the Financial Times Deutschland reported on Friday.

The Times: British calls for a mass walkout of European Union ambassadors from Tehran were shot down by more cautious nations led by Germany and Italy yesterday as the carefully constructed European consensus on responding to Iran came under intense strain.