Iran releases US hikers on bail

Bauer and Fattal, both 29, were arrested on the unmarked border between Iran and Iraq on July 31, 2009.

TEHRAN: Two US hikers convicted of spying and illegal entry were on their way to the airport to fly home Wednesday after Iran freed them on bail, months after handing them hefty jail terms, state media said.

"Immediately after their release, the two American nationals left for Mehrabad airport," the official IRNA news agency reported.

"The Swiss ambassador to Tehran and a delegation from Oman were present when the two American prisoners were released," the report added.

Josh Fattal and Shane Bauer were released into the custody of the Swiss embassy as Washington has no diplomatic relations with Tehran and its interests are looked after by the Swiss.

Oman, a US Gulf ally which has good relations with Iran, agreed to pay the two men's bail.

Bauer and Fattal, both 29, were arrested with fellow American Sarah Shourd, 32, on the unmarked border between Iran and Iraq on July 31, 2009. Shourd was freed on medical grounds in September and returned to the United States.

The trio claim they were hiking in Iraq’s northern province of Kurdistan when they innocently strayed into the Islamic republic.

Washington has vehemently denied Tehran’s charge that the three were spies and has repeatedly called on Iran to release Bauer and Fattal.