Three American hikers who were arrested for illegally entering Iran two months ago will be allowed to visit with officials from the Swiss government. This will be the first time western officials meet with the hikers since their arrest, and it provides a ray of hope to their families, who have urged their release.
The Swiss government represents U.S. interests in Tehran, since the United States has no formal diplomatic relations with the Islamic republic. Two U.S. officials said Iran had notified the Swiss that their consular services are required, meaning they can meet with the Americans, all graduates of U.C. Berkeley, to verify their conditions. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because of the diplomatic sensitivity of the matter.
The move is being seen as a conciliatory gesture by Iran.
It comes less than a week after Irainian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said in an interview with the Associated Press that he would ask the country's judiciary to "look at the case with maximum leniency."
It also comes two days before a high-profile meeting between Iran and five world powers seeking to persuade Iran to abandon any effort to build nuclear weapons.
The three Americans, Joshua Fattal, Shane Bauer, and Sarah Shourd, have not had contact with their families since their arrest. Fattal is an Elkins Park, Pa. native.
Josh's mother Laura led a vigil in honor of her son and the other two hikers in Wyncote Wednesday night. Hundreds of friends, family and supporters stood holding candles, hoping for positive news.
Local
Breaking news and the stories that matter to your neighborhood.
"It's been extremely, extremely difficult," Laura said. "My body went into shock, the whole family went in shock. We are...everyday, we take it day-by-day."
She and the other parents recently wrote a letter to the Iranian president, appealing to his sensitive side.
“Nothing would delight us more than to embrace our children and to express to you, in person, our profound gratitude for the kindness of the Iranian people,” the mothers wrote.
Wednesday's vigil was just one of more than a dozen held around the country including Boston, Minneapolis, Southern California, San Francisco and other locations. Learn more about the cause at www.freethehikers.org.
