Freed US Hikers' Joy After Iran Jail Ordeal

Two American hikers jailed on spying charges in Iran have been reunited with their families after they were released on a \$1m bail deal.

Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal had spent more than two years in custody, having been arrested along the Iran-Iraq border in July 2009.

The pair have now been freed from Tehran's Evin prison, despite being sentenced last month to eight years each in jail.

They were released into the custody of the Omani envoy, and were then flown to Oman, which is an ally of the US and has friendly ties with Tehran.

A third American in the group at the time of their arrest, Sarah Shourd, was freed in 2010 on bail.

Mr Fattal said: "We're so happy we are free," while Mr Bauer added: "Two years in prison is too long."

Mr Bauer said he hoped their release from jail will also bring "freedom for political prisoners in America and Iran".

Ms Shroud and the families of the two men were in Oman to meet them.

In a statement, they said their joy and relief "knows no bounds" and they were looking forward to a new beginning.

The families also thanked people around the world for supporting the men's release.

They said: "Today can only be described as the best day of our lives.

"We have waited for nearly 26 months for this moment. We now all want nothing more than to wrap Shane and Josh in our arms, catch up on two lost years."

US President Barack Obama called it "wonderful, wonderful news about the hikers, we are thrilled. It's a wonderful day for them and for us."

The lawyer for the two men, Masoud Shafiei, said: "Now we can say they are finally free. They can go to the US the way (their friend) Sarah did."

He had earlier said the men would be taken to the Swiss embassy, which handles US interests in Iran.

The case has deepened strains in the already fraught relationship between Washington and Tehran.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad , who was first to mention the men could be released, is in the US and is scheduled to speak at the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday.

Mr Shafiei said the bail of \$500,000 for each of the men was posted after some last-minute bank problems were resolved. He did not say who put up the money.

The three Americans said they had mistakenly crossed into Iran when they stepped off a dirt road while hiking near a waterfall.