A senior Iranian lawmaker says Majlis Foreign Relations Subcommittee is set to look into the expulsion of Iranian nationals from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Ahead of a Sunday session, Chairman of the Majlis Foreign Relations Subcommittee Vahid Ahmadi said Abu Dhabi’s treatment of Iranian nationals residing in the Persian Gulf littoral state will be among issues to be discussed by lawmakers.

According to a report published by ISNA News Agency on June 6, over the recent months, the UAE has revoked the residency permits of tens of Iranians, some of whom had been living in the country for 25 years, and forced them to leave the Arab state without providing any reason.

Iran Foreign Ministry Spokesman Abbas Araqchi said a day after the report was published that the ministry and the Iranian Embassy in Abu Dhabi were seriously following up on the case.


The Iranian lawmaker added that the subcommittee session will also focus on “the latest international and foreign policy developments such as the new developments in Egypt and the removal of Mohamed Morsi from power in this country and, subsequently, ties between Iran and Egypt in the new era.”

Egypt plunged into violence after the country’s powerful military ousted Morsi, suspended the constitution, and dissolved the parliament on July 3. The measure followed days of mass protests against Morsi.

Since last week, Egypt has been witnessing mass protests and deadly clashes involving supporters and opponents of Morsi and security forces. Many people have been killed over the past few days, with more than 80 deaths reported on July 8 alone.