Two foreign nationals were injured and allegedly robbed of cash and mobile phones during a "mob attack" in the capital's Bashundhara Residential Area yesterday afternoon.

The duo later identified themselves as Iranian tourists and said they had arrived in Bangladesh two days prior with plans to stay for a month.

The incident occurred near Bashundhara's main gate area around 1:45pm, when they got into an argument over the exchange rate with local currency exchange brokers they had arranged on the phone.

Bhatara Police Station Assistant Sub-Inspector Chhoton Chandra Das said he arrived at the scene after responding to a 999 call from a pedestrian. 

"I found a crowd surrounding the car with the two Iranians inside. I told the driver to pull to the side and asked the two passengers to come with me to the station so we could understand what was going on.

"However, the driver, also Iranian, attempted to drive away, hitting three rickshaws. This further enraged the crowd, who then vandalised the car, which was a rental, and assaulted the two foreigners."

The victims claimed that $950 and three iPhones were stolen from their possession during the attack.

A video of the mob attack circulated on social media following the incident.

The injured Iranians were taken to Kurmitola General Hospital for treatment. They were later escorted back to their Banani hotel.

Bhatara Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Mazharul Islam said that the incident originated from a dispute over the money exchange rate. "However, the whole story is yet to be clear. A case is being prepared."

He added that police are trying to find the alleged thieves.