Iran's Foreign Ministry Summons UAE Chargé d'Affaires in Tehran

Following the arrest of nine Iranian teachers on Wednesday in Abu Dhabi, Iran's Foreign Ministry summoned the UAE's chargé d'affaires on Sunday, October 11, in the absence of the UAE ambassador, demanding the 'prompt' release of these teachers. According to the state news agency IRNA, the UAE chargé d'affaires in Tehran stated that the work permits for these nine teachers were for Dubai, and no permits had been issued for their employment in Abu Dhabi. IRNA reported that these teachers had been teaching 'normally' in Abu Dhabi with work and residence permits related to Dubai for several years without any issues. Fars news agency reported that the UAE police arrested these nine Iranian teachers 'in a very unfavorable condition with handcuffs' on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Khalilollah Babalu, head of the International Affairs and Schools Abroad Center, stated that these teachers would be released on Monday. In recent years, several Iranian nationals have been arrested in the UAE, as well as some UAE nationals in Iran. For instance, fishermen from both countries have been detained in each other's waters and released after some time. Iranian parliament members have previously raised questions with the Iranian Foreign Minister regarding the arrests of Iranians in the UAE and the Foreign Ministry's actions in this regard. ISNA reported last year that 280 Iranians were imprisoned in the UAE for crimes such as illegal entry, drug trafficking, and fraud. Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Ministry officials announced in July that 62 Iranians were released from prisons in Dubai and the northern emirates of the UAE.