TEHRAN - Iran's Foreign Minister Ali-Akbar Salehi expressed concern over the expulsion of Iranian nationals from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), urging Abu Dhabi to reconsider the move, Press TV reported on Friday.

Salehi made the remarks in a phone conversation with his UAE counterpart Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, urging consolidation and expansion of bilateral ties.

During the conversation, the two ministers also discussed regional and international developments, including the situation in Egypt, as well as issues of common interest.

Earlier in July, local reports said that over the recent months, the UAE has revoked the residence permits of dozens of Iranians and forced them to leave the Arab country.

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Araqchi also said a number of foreign nationals had been expelled from the UAE following a decision by the UAE Interior Ministry regarding the state's population of foreign nationals.