The United Arab Emirates is one of Iran's biggest trade partners. It's ports are the main transit hubs used by Iran. But in recent months, there have been reports of the deportation of Iranian nationals from the Persian Gulf kingdom.The Persian Gulf state has reportedly deported over 500 Iranians in the recent months.
According to reports, some of the deportees had lived in the country for as long as 25 years, and were forced to leave without any reason.
Irans Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi has expressed concern over the expulsion of Iranian nationals, urging the UAE to reconsider the move. The top Iranian diplomat made the remarks in a telephone conversation with his Emirati counterpart Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed al-Nahyan.
The National Security and Foreign Policy Committee of Irans Parliament is going to carry out an investigation into the matter and follow-up the issue this week.
Other MPs have also condemned the move saying Iranians have helped in building up the small Persian gulf nations and deporting or not renewing the visas for people that have lived there for decades is against international law.
The government of the UAE has not reported any deportations.
Many Lebanese have also been reportedly deported from the Persian Gulf country. Whether the reason is the same, remains to be found out.
An estimated half-million Iranians live in the Emirates.
About 8,000 Iranian companies are working in the UAE with the capital of $300 billion. Now what will these people decide about their capital and whether they will stay or sell remains to be seen.
By Press TV
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