US hikers released from Iran prison after $1 million bail (ransom) paid

TEHRAN — Two Americans jailed in Iran as spies were flown out of the country Wednesday after earlier being released following more than two years in custody.

Reporters saw a convoy of vehicles with Swiss and Omani diplomats leaving Evin prison with Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal inside, heading to an airport in the capital Tehran. Switzerland's ambassador later confirmed they had been flown out on a jet sent by Oman.

Switzerland represents American interests in Iran because the U.S. has no diplomatic relations with Tehran and the prisoners are expected to be flown first to Oman.

Relatives of the two men were in Oman waiting for their arrival, and the families said in a statement that their joy and relief "knows no bounds."

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