This morning there was a flurry of reports that the two American hikers held in Iran since 2009 could be freed - if they pay a combined one million dollar bail. The source was a 45 minute one-on-one interview that NBC's Ann Curry conducted with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. You can watch some of it below. Preview: Ahmadinejad says that the hikers have been in conditions "like staying in a hotel." And he he says the real question is "why the American leaders are so hostile against us":
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Now the families of Josh Fattal and Shane Bauer have just released a statement:
“While we do not have further details at this time, we are overjoyed by the positive news reports from Iran. Shane and Josh’s freedom means more to us than anything and it’s a huge relief to read that they are going to be released. We’re grateful to everyone who has supported us and looking forward to our reunion with Shane and Josh. We hope to say more when they are finally back in our arms.”
The two men lived in the Bay Area before their trip to the Middle East. Their hiking partner Sarah Shourd was released last September.