Arrest of Iranian teachers tests Iran-UAE relations

The arrest of Iranian teachers working in the UAE has prompted some Iranian officials to call for firmer measures against the UAE.
Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi (L) meets with UAE Foreign Affairs Minister Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (R) and brother Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi in this handout picture released by Emirates News Agency WAM July 9, 2012. REUTERS/WAM/Handout (UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - Tags: POLITICS) FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS. THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. IT IS DISTRIBUTED, EXACTLY AS RECEIVED BY REUTERS, AS A SERVICE TO
Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi (L) meets with UAE Foreign Affairs Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan (R) and brother Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi, July 9, 2012. - REUTERS/Emirates News Agency WAM
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Arash Karami
@thekarami
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The envoy of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Iran has been summoned by Iran’s Foreign Ministry over the Oct. 7 arrest of nine Iranian teachers, reportedly due to visa issues.

Khalilollah Babalou, head of international affairs and schools abroad for the Education Ministry, told Tasnim News Agency that the UAE arrested the teachers because they only had visas to work in Dubai. At the time of their arrest they were working in Al Ain, a city in the emirate of Abu Dhabi. According to Babalou, teachers working at Iranian schools outside of their visa stipulations has not resulted in arrests before. Babalou added that Iranian officials are tyring to secure their freedom and consultations in Iran are taking place.

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