Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei has said Tehran is aware that its citizens were “harassed” in the Emirates over the past week, Al Jazeera reports.

“We have handed down clear instructions to our embassies and consulates in Dubai, and here we are closely monitoring the situation in the UAE. Any action required within our power, we wouldn’t falter or hesitate in order to serve our people,” he said.

When asked about US sanctions on an Iraqi minister for his alleged connection with Iran, Baqaei said it was “an act of bullying”.