CONCERN is mounting over the deteriorating health of a Durham University student being held in Iran.

Ehsan Abdoh-Tabrizi was arrested and imprisoned in mid-January after travelling to Tehran to visit his family.

Professor Anthony Forster, pro vice-chancellor, said tonight that the university had been "disappointed" at the response of the Iranian Embassy in London following its representations on the PhD student's behalf.

"In the last two weeks, the university has become increasingly concerned about Ehsan's well-being following reports of poor health and continued ambiguity relating to the charges that have been brought against him," he added.

"We have been disappointed that the response we received from the cultural and educational section of the embassy which inferred the case would be processed swiftly, has proven to be inaccurate."

He added that the university's most recent letter had not been acknowledged by the embassy and that other approaches by other institutions over Ehsan's fate had been similarly unsuccessful.

The history student, whose father works for a banned newspaper, is believed to be being held in solitary confinement after being arrested following demonstrations in the Iranian capital.

Prof Forster said the university is now seeking advice from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and has prepared an open letter to the Iranian ambassador in London, Rasoul Movahedian "Our only concern is for Ehsan's health and well-being and we will continue with this course of action to urge the authorities in Iran to bring this matter to a conclusion as soon as possible."

Prof Forster said the university had been in contact with the Iranian Embassy in London for a number of months and it was March until it was able to confirm his arrest and imprisonment.

In conjunction with Ehsan's father, the university agreed to conduct low-profile talks with the embassy.

"The university's position, informed by a sustained dialogue with Ehsan's father, has been to undertake a campaign of private correspondence with the Iranian Embassy in London to clarify the circumstances of Ehsan's imprisonment, the charges against him and the timescale for his case to be processed.

"Following discussions with Ehsan's father, the university agreed that it would not seek publicity as there was no indication that this would help Ehsan's case."

However, Prof Forster said the university was now taking further action following concerns over Ehsan's health and the lack of dialogue with the embassy.

"The university has an obligation and a duty of care to raise awareness of Ehsan's imprisonment and deteriorating health," he added.