Iran has moved to reduce tensions with the international community by pledging to release two Americans held in the country and offering fresh nuclear talks ahead of President Ahmadinejad's visit to the United Nations in New York next week.
The two Americans sentenced to eight years in jail for espionage and illegally crossing the border are to be released on bail of $500,000 (£316,000), their lawyer said on Tuesday.
News of the deal came after Ahmadinejad revealed in separate interviews with two US media organisations that Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal would be allowed to return home in the next few days.
In reaction to Iran's pledge, the US secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, said: "We are encouraged by what the Iranian government has said.
"We obviously hope that we will see a positive outcome from what appears to be a decision by the government."
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http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/sep/13/iran-free-us-hikers-spying
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