2009–2011 detention of American hikers by Iran

none October 2018 May 2026 March 2012 thumb|right|300px|Evin House of Detention, where the hikers were held On July 31, 2009, three Americans, Joshua Fattal, Sarah Shourd and Shane Bauer were taken into custody by Iranian border guards for crossing into Iran while hiking near the Iranian border in Iraqi Kurdistan. At the time of their detention by Iranian troops, the three Americans were on vacationOctober 2017 from their jobs in the region in a relatively stable, autonomous region of Iraq known as Iraqi Kurdistan. On the recommendations of locals, they hiked to see a popular local Iraqi tourist destination near the Iraq-Iran border, the Ahmed Awa waterfall.October 2017 Following the hikers' capture on the Iraqi-Iranian border, a wide range of outside voices, including the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, and the human rights group Amnesty International, had called for the hikers' unconditional release.American Hikers Leave Iran After Prison Release Goodman J. David Cowell Alan The New York Times 21 September 2011 https://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/22/world/middleeast/iranian-lawyer-says-2-american-hikers-hopefully-are-about-to-be-freed.html February 23, 2017 May 29, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230529145055/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/22/world/middleeast/iranian-lawyer-says-2-american-hikers-hopefully-are-about-to-be-freed.html live Iran subsequently claimed the three were spieshttps://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/16/world/middleeast/16hikers.html The New York Times Iran Says 3 American Hikers Will Be Tried Over Crossing Jack Healy December 16, 2009 February 22, 2010 June 18, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110618092756/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/16/world/middleeast/16hikers.html live but offered no evidence to support its contention. Sarah Shourd was released 14 months later on "humanitarian grounds".https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/sep/14/iran-frees-sarah-shourd-hiker Iran frees US hiker Sarah Shourd after detaining her on spy charges September 14, 2010 London The Guardian Ian Black September 14, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100915002014/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/sep/14/iran-frees-sarah-shourd-hiker September 15, 2010 live Fattal and Bauer were convicted of "illegal entry" and "espionage" two years after their arrest and each sentenced to eight years in prison,"Iran jails US 'hikers' for 8 years: report" https://web.archive.org/web/20160305052044/http://news.yahoo.com/iran-sentences-2-american-men-8-years-jail-133532047.html March 5, 2016 , AP Online. 21 aug 2011. Retrieved 22 aug 2011; Iran's state television website but were released on September 21, 2011. Each of the detainees was released after payment of 5 billion rialhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-15000563 September 21, 2011 Iran frees jailed US hiker 'spies' Bauer and Fattal BBC News September 21, 2011 September 21, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110921171023/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-15000563 live (around US$5000000000 IRN 2011 -3) bail was arranged by the Sultan of Oman. Background Joshua "Josh" Fattal, who grew up in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania, graduated from UC Berkeley, worked as co-director of an environmental education center at Aprovecho in Oregon and travelled to Switzerland, India, China, and South Africa from January to May 2009 on a fellowship with the International Honors Program (IHP)'s "Health and Community" study abroad program. Fattal and Bauer were friends from their days at the University of California at Berkeley. Shortly after the release of the hikers, it was revealed that Jacob Fattal, the father of Joshua Fattal, is an Israeli expatriate living in the United States. To avoid revealing the fact that Josh's father is an Israeli citizen, and that half his family are Israelis, Josh's mother and brother, Alex Fattal, spearheaded the campaign for his release and his father avoided the media. Fattal had been to Israel on a few family visits. The last time Fattal was in Israel was 2007 for two weeks for his cousin's wedding.October 2018 Shane Bauer, who grew up both in Onamia, Minnesota and San Leandro, California,https://www.cbsnews.com/news/freed-us-hiker-reunites-with-mother/ Freed U.S. Hiker Reunites With Mother CBS News/Associated Press CBS News September 14, 2010 September 15, 2010 is a freelance photojournalist and journalist who has reported for Democracy Now!,https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=111547382 Friends Seek Release Of Jailed Hikers In Iran Richard Gonzales August 4, 2009 NPR April 2, 2018 October 13, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20181013133013/https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=111547382 live Mother Jones, The Nation, The Christian Science Monitor, the San Francisco Chronicle, the Los Angeles Times and other media outlets, using his fluency in Arabic. http://freethehikers.org/?page_id=584 About Shane Bauer July 19, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100701105907/http://freethehikers.org/?page_id=584 July 1, 2010 dead mdy-all Sarah Emily Shourd, who grew up in Los Angeles, worked in education and social justice in Damascus, Syria, where she provided educational opportunities to refugees from the war in Iraq and taught English. Shourd was Bauer's girlfriend at the time of the arrest, and the two became engaged to be married while imprisoned. They married on May 5, 2012, in Half Moon Bay, California, in a private ceremony with friends and family.http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/05/06/11562585-two-american-hikers-jailed-in-iran-wed-in-california?lite Two American hikers jailed in Iran wed in California May 6, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120508233634/http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/05/06/11562585-two-american-hikers-jailed-in-iran-wed-in-california?lite May 8, 2012 dead mdy-all Arrest On July 31, 2009, Fattal, Shourd, and Bauer were detained by Iranian border guards while hiking in Iraqi Kurdistan. Iran claims the three crossed into its territory. The three sometimes dispute and sometimes accept this claim. The three American detainees have claimed they were simply hikers who did not realize that they were in Iran and that they actually have lengthy backgrounds as social justice activists.http://freeourfriends.eu/shane Shane's Work August 6, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100719113329/http://freeourfriends.eu/shane July 19, 2010 dead mdy-allhttp://freeourfriends.eu Why is Iran holding anti-war activists? August 6, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100819114320/http://freeourfriends.eu/ August 19, 2010 livehttp://freeourfriends.eu/supporter/anna-baltzer Full Letter From Anna Baltzer August 6, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100719113334/http://freeourfriends.eu/supporter/anna-baltzer July 19, 2010 dead mdy-allhttp://freeourfriends.eu/supporter/dahr-jamail Full Letter from Dahr Jamail August 6, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100719113352/http://freeourfriends.eu/supporter/dahr-jamail July 19, 2010 dead mdy-allhttps://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/statement-president-barack-obama-unjust-detention-sarah-shourd-shane-bauer-and-josh Statement of President Barack Obama on the Unjust Detention of Sarah Shourd, Shane Bauer, and Josh Fattal September 15, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20170216171627/https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/statement-president-barack-obama-unjust-detention-sarah-shourd-shane-bauer-and-josh February 16, 2017 National Archives whitehouse.gov July 30, 2010 live They had been living and active in the Middle East, and were on holiday in Iraqi Kurdistan, an autonomous region of Iraq free from the sectarian struggle that dominates much of Iraq.http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/pm/2010/09/holiday_2011.shtml 'Holiday 2011?' – Gabriel Gatehouse reports for PM on...your next holiday destination? September 23, 2010 November 29, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20101129041559/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/pm/2010/09/holiday_2011.shtml deadhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00trk57 Eddie Mair, Radio 4, holidaying in Iraqi Kurdistan September 23, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20101024174329/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00trk57 October 24, 2010 livehttps://www.theguardian.com/world/audio/2010/jul/21/us-citizens-iran-jail-audio 'We have to have hope' – Shon Meckfessel discusses how three of his friends – all US citizens – were taken prisoner by Iranian officials while hiking in Iraq near the border of Iran September 13, 2010 London The Guardian Ian Black July 22, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100826111414/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/audio/2010/jul/21/us-citizens-iran-jail-audio August 26, 2010 live They had been advised of the suitability of the region for a holiday by friends who had been there and through Internet research; and were recommended the Ahmed Awa waterfall, a popular Kurdish tourist destination, by a number of local people whilst they were in Sulaymaniyah. After visiting the waterfall, they continued walking in Iraqi Kurdistan until they unknowingly walked along the unmarked Iraq-Iran borderline, at times stepping just feet into Iran.https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00t17kb Nora Shourd, mother of hiker imprisoned in Iran on BBC Radio 4 July 19, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100725102905/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00t17kb July 25, 2010 live In June 2010, an article in The Nation indicated that two villagers said the hikers were accosted by Iranian authorities while they were on the Iraqi side of the border.http://www.thenation.com/article/36562/us-hikers-were-seized-iraq Sarfaraz Babak June 23, 2010 US Hikers Were Seized in Iraq The Nation https://web.archive.org/web/20100629110957/http://www.thenation.com/article/36562/us-hikers-were-seized-iraq June 29, 2010 live US Hikers Were Seized in Iraq: WikiLeaks Document Corroborates Nation Report Sarfaraz Babak The Nation 12 July 2010 https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/us-hikers-were-seized-iraq-wikileaks-document-corroborates-nation-report/ August 4, 2022 August 17, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220817234450/https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/us-hikers-were-seized-iraq-wikileaks-document-corroborates-nation-report/ live Their companion, Shon Meckfessel, was not detained, as he stayed behind at the Hotel Miwan in Sulaymaniyah because of a cold.Meckfessel, Shon. "Statement on Missing US Hikers" https://web.archive.org/web/20120111200354/http://www.thenation.com/article/statement-missing-us-hikers January 11, 2012 , The Nation, August 17, 2009. He had intended to join them the following day. Detention right Discussion with Bauer, Fattal, and Shourd on A Sliver of Light, March 21, 2014, C-SPAN The exact circumstances of their detention are unknown, but is illustrated in the first person by each of the three in their book, A Sliver of Light, released March 18, 2014. They were held in Evin Prison, section 209. The three were in solitary confinement for the first four months. Bauer and Shourd could communicate during the first month, but Fattal was totally isolated. Shourd remained in solitary confinement after Fattal and Bauer were put in the same cell at which point the three spent time together each day for two 30-minute periods. Beside a five-minute phone call in March, 2010, the three detainees were not allowed to communicate with their families until May, 2010. Swiss consular officials were able to visit them on September 29 and October 29, 2009, and confirmed they did not appear to have been physically mistreated (Switzerland represents U.S. interests in Iran because the United States has no formal diplomatic relations with Iran). Upon the release of Fattal and Bauer on September 25, 2011, Shourd stated, "Bauer was beaten and Fattal forced down a flight of stairs.""Freed hikers: Iran held us because we're American", by Associated Press, September 26, 2010 In their memoir, Bauer states that he was not beaten but rather severely threatened. The mothers of the three applied for visas in January 2010 to visit their sons and daughter. They went to Iran in May 2010, after the government granted the visas.https://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100518/ap_on_re_us/us_iran_us_hikers Mothers of 3 imprisoned US hikers head to Iran Yahoo! May 17, 2010 May 17, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100521220450/http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100518/ap_on_re_us/us_iran_us_hikers May 21, 2010 dead mdy"U.S. Detainees' Mothers Meet Them in Tehran, Appeal for Release", by Ladane Nasseri, Business Week, May 20, 2010September 2016 InternetArchiveBot yes The three were united with their mothers for two days in May 2010 while remaining in detention. Shane Bauer and Sarah Shourd, who were already in a relationship when they were detained, became engaged while incarcerated and married after their release.http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/politics/international_politics/mothersapos+appeal+for+hikers+held+in+iran/3720377 Mothers' appeal for hikers held in Iran July 24, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100724232052/http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/politics/international_politics/mothersapos%2Bappeal%2Bfor%2Bhikers%2Bheld%2Bin%2Biran/3720377 July 24, 2010 live Release of Sarah Shourd On September 14, 2010, after more than a year in prison, Sarah Shourd was released on 5 billion rial (about US$465,000)Convert Iranian Rials (IRR) to US Dollars (USD) http://www.exchange-rates.org/Rate/IRR/USD live https://web.archive.org/web/20110920035825/http://www.exchange-rates.org/Rate/IRR/USD September 20, 2011 September 21, 2011 Exchange-Rates.org bail, paid by the Sultan of Oman. Iran's judiciary also announced that the pre-trial detention of Fattal and Bauer would be extended for two more months, at that time.US trio on Iran trespass charge face more accusations Black Ian https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/sep/14/iran-frees-sarah-shourd-hiker The Guardian September 14, 2010 September 14, 2010 London https://web.archive.org/web/20100915002014/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/sep/14/iran-frees-sarah-shourd-hiker September 15, 2010 live Shourd remained a defendant but was not required by Iran to return for trial along with Fattal and Bauer in 2011. Iran officials stated she was released on humanitarian grounds due to her declining health. She suffered mental health deterioration due to her solitary confinement for such an extended period of time. Shourd's bail did not require that she remain in Iran, but her case would still go to trial along with Fattal and Bauer. Shourd's mother has said she had been denied treatment for serious health problems, including a breast lump and precancerous cervical cells.Associated The https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129809380&ft=1&f= Iran Relents On Release Of Jailed American Hiker NPR July 31, 2009 September 15, 2010 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20100914194220/http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129809380 September 14, 2010 In May 2011, Shourd announced that she would not return to Iran for trial, citing acute ill-health. Her lump turned out to be non-cancerous, however it offered a way out of returning.David Batty and agencies American hiker charged with spying by Iran will not return to face trial The Guardian May 5, 2011 May 5, 2011 https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/may/04/american-hiker-iran-no-return https://web.archive.org/web/20110510224135/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/may/04/american-hiker-iran-no-return May 10, 2011 live London Trial On July 31, 2011, Fattal and Bauer were tried by the Revolutionary Court of the Islamic Republic of Iran. On August 20, 2011, they were convicted of "illegal entry" and "espionage" and sentenced to a total of eight years in prison, each. "According to an informed source with the judiciary, Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal, the two detained American citizens, have been each sentenced to three years in prison for illegal entry to the Islamic Republic of Iran," the Iran's state television website reported. It also stated that the two have separately been "sentenced to five years in prison on charges of espionage for the American intelligence agency". Their Iranian attorney, Masoud Shafiee, thought "the sentence was not consistent with the charges." Illegal entry rarely has such a harsh punishment and spying can carry a death sentence in Iran."Iran jails US 'hikers' for 8 years: report" https://web.archive.org/web/20160305052044/http://news.yahoo.com/iran-sentences-2-american-men-8-years-jail-133532047.html March 5, 2016 , AP Online. 21 aug 2011. Retrieved 22 aug 2011 Iranian judicial process President Ahmadinejad stated his hope that the three would be able to prove their innocence of espionage, but stated they deserve at least some punishment for illegal entry into Iran.http://wcbstv.com/national/hikers.detained.iran.2.1273015.html Families Release Video Of Hikers Shane Bauer, Joshua Fattal And Sarah Shourd Detained In Iran WCBS TV October 27, 2009 May 17, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100426123726/http://wcbstv.com/national/hikers.detained.iran.2.1273015.html April 26, 2010 dead mdyLocke Michelle http://news.aol.com/article/missing-americans-in-iran/599557 Missing Americans in Iran News.aol.com August 2, 2009 May 17, 2010 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20090805213643/http://news.aol.com/article/missing-americans-in-iran/599557 August 5, 2009Curry, Ann. Interview with Mahmoud Ahmadinejad https://web.archive.org/web/20160702034256/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOh35qHJ0r0 July 2, 2016 , Today, MSNBC, reproduced on YouTube; September 18, 2009. In September 2009, Ahmadinejad promised that he would ask the judiciary to treat the case with maximum lenience and expeditiously, but despite many public statements that a judicial proceeding was imminent there was no hearing or movement on their case for nearly eight months.http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/09/23/iran.hikers/ Hiker's family finds hope in Ahmadinejad remarks CNN September 24, 2009 May 17, 2010 July 22, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100722001623/http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/09/23/iran.hikers/ live On November 9, 2009, it was announced they would be charged for espionage by Iranian authorities.https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-hikers-will-stand-trial-for-espionage-says-iran-1817732.html US hikers will stand trial for espionage, says Iran – Americas, World – The Independent The Independent London November 10, 2009 May 17, 2010 David Usborne November 13, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20091113155435/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-hikers-will-stand-trial-for-espionage-says-iran-1817732.html deadhttp://english.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=8808181651 Fars News Agency :: Iran: 3 US Citizens Face Espionage Charges English.farsnews.com November 9, 2009 May 17, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20120301004022/http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=8808181651 March 1, 2012 dead mdy-all The detainees were consistently denied access to their lawyer and Swiss officials were stonewalled. On February 15, 2009 [2010?] Mohammad Javad Larijani, the secretary general of Iran's High Council for Human Rights, said it was "quite possible" the Americans had strayed into Iran by mistake.Iran: U.S. Hikers Are Presumed Innocent, Official Says https://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/17/world/middleeast/17briefs-Hikers.html Associated Press The New York Times February 17, 2010 September 14, 2010 February 25, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100225063445/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/17/world/middleeast/17briefs-Hikers.html live At the beginning of August 2010, the Iranian government reiterated its belief that the trio should stand trial for illegal entry, and announced it was considering other charges such as "intentionally acting against Iranian security". On July 31, 2011, the two had their final hearing of the trial.US trio on Iran trespass charge face more accusations https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/aug/01/iran-us-trio-trespass-charges Associated Press The Observer August 1, 2010 September 14, 2010 London https://web.archive.org/web/20100808034044/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/aug/01/iran-us-trio-trespass-charges August 8, 2010 live On August 20, 2011, the two hikers were sentenced to 3 years for illegal entry and 5 years for espionage, a total of 8 years.U.S. hikers get 8 years in prison http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/08/20/iran.us.hikers/index.html#0_undefined,0_ CNN August 20, 2010 March 20, 2014 March 11, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150311134126/http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/08/20/iran.us.hikers/index.html#0_undefined,0_ live Calls for release Kenan Thompson, Desmond Tutu, Muhammad Ali, Noam Chomsky, Tom Morello, Alyssa Milano, Ashton Kutcher, Barack Obama, Big Sean, Yusuf Islam, Sean Penn, along with many other celebritiesOctober 2018 and governments,October 2018 called for the release of the detainees on grounds of inhumane treatment and lack of evidence.Tutu, Desmond. "It's Time for Iran to Live Up to Its Commitment to Justice and Compassion" https://web.archive.org/web/20170430091243/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/desmond-tutu/post_1924_b_859174.html April 30, 2017 . The Huffington Post, May 8, 2011.The Associated Press. "Musician Yusuf Islam asks Iran to free US hikers" https://web.archive.org/web/20141214232535/http://seattletimes.com/html/entertainment/2014889162_apusiranushikers.html December 14, 2014. The Seattle Times, April 27, 2011."Sean Penn Worked To Free Jailed American Hikers In Iran" https://web.archive.org/web/20160916100623/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/26/sean-penn-helped-free-hos_n_982453.html September 16, 2016 , The Huffington Post, November 26, 2011. Release of Fattal and Bauer A team of United States Department of State officials, including diplomat Philo Dibble, coordinated with Omani and Swiss diplomats to secure the release of Fattal and Bauer.Philo Dibble, Diplomat and Iran Expert, Dies at 60 https://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/14/world/middleeast/philo-dibble-diplomat-and-iran-expert-dies-at-60.html?ref=obituaries The New York Times October 13, 2011 October 25, 2011 Dennis Hevesi October 23, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20111023135253/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/14/world/middleeast/philo-dibble-diplomat-and-iran-expert-dies-at-60.html?ref=obituaries live On September 13, 2011, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told NBC News that Fattal and Bauer would be released "in a couple of days" in a "humanitarian gesture".Iran president: US hikers Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal to be freed 'in a couple of days' today.msnbc.msn.com September 15, 2011 Ahmadinejad was scheduled to speak at the United Nations General Assembly the next week. However the release was delayed as part of "what analysts called a power struggle between Ahmadinejad and the conservative establishment he has angered," and soon after the announcement, Iran's judiciary contradicted the president and stated it had exclusive authority to order their release. (The judiciary answers to the country's supreme leader.) Fattal and Bauer were released on September 21 and taken by a diplomatic convoy to a plane that took them to Oman. Shafiei said the bail of 5 billion rial (about US$465,000) for each of the men was posted, and they would be released into the custody of either Swiss diplomats or an Omani delegation. Omani officials, who maintain good relations with both Iran and the U.S., reportedly played a key role in negotiations with Iran and may have paid the almost $1 million bail.https://www.foxnews.com/world/u-s-hikers-released-from-iranian-prison-arrive-in-oman U.S. Hikers Released From Iranian Prison, Flown Out of Country September 21, 2011 Fox News September 21, 2011 September 21, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110921205212/http://www.foxnews.com/world/2011/09/21/lawyer-for-2-us-hikers-says-bail-deal-approved/ live The two men were released from prison and flown back to the United States via Oman on September 21, 2011, following a 10 billion rial (about US$930,000) bail-for-freedom deal posted by Oman.Iran frees American hikers Fleishman Jeffrey Mosthagim Ramin https://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-iraq-hikers-20110922,0,6664075.story Los Angeles Times September 21, 2011 September 21, 2011 Los Angeles September 21, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110921225933/http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-iraq-hikers-20110922,0,6664075.story live Once Fattal and Bauer were back on American soil, the Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported that Joshua Fattal's Iraqi-born Jewish father, Jacob, had emigrated to Israel as a child and later came to the United States, where he married Fattal's mother, Laura. In an effort not to draw attention to their ties with Israel after Josh's arrest, the family decided that rather than having his father involved in public efforts for Josh's release, the task would go to Josh's brother, Alex, a doctoral student at Harvard University, and to Josh's mother, Laura, who was born in the United States.Israeli father of released U.S. hiker says his son is 'faring well' Zuta Rutie https://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/israeli-father-of-released-u-s-hiker-says-his-son-is-faring-well-1.387090 Haaretz September 27, 2011 September 27, 2011 Jerusalem September 28, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110928082637/http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/israeli-father-of-released-u-s-hiker-says-his-son-is-faring-well-1.387090 dead Aftermath Iran–Oman relations As early as 2009, according to WikiLeaks, Oman offered to arrange secret talks between the US and Iran, which hadn't had diplomatic relations for 30 years. But it was the detention of the American hikers by Iran that brought Oman into a mediating role between the two sides and helped win the release of the detainees. Ironically, efforts to win the release of the hikers turned out to be instrumental in making the clandestine diplomacy to reach an agreement on the nuclear program of Iran possible: after this successful mediation, Sultan Qaboos offered to facilitate a US–Iran rapprochement. In March, US and Iranian officials met in Oman, Secretary of State John Kerry followed up in May, and the talks took on a momentum of their own after Hassan Rouhani replaced Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Iran's June elections.https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/Olive-Press/2013/1124/The-man-behind-secret-US-Iran-talks-Sultan-Qaboos The man behind secret US-Iran talks: Sultan Qaboos Christian Science Monitor November 24, 2013 August 22, 2015 December 24, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20181224234720/https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/Olive-Press/2013/1124/The-man-behind-secret-US-Iran-talks-Sultan-Qaboos live The memoir A Sliver of Light is about the event. See also List of foreign nationals detained in Iran Deportation of the Iranian students at US airports References 2 External links Free the Hikers (archived) Josh Fattal (archived) Shane Bauer Democracy Now!: Sarah Shourd Reflects on 14 Months in Iranian Prison (video interview) Hammer, Joshua. http://www.outsideonline.com/adventure-travel/asia/iran/A-Mountain-of-Trouble.html?page=all A Mountain of Trouble Outside Online May 2010 November 1, 2011 https://archive.today/20130704065001/http://mantlethought.org/content/pen-2013-literature-lock-and-key PEN 2013 Event: Literature: Lock and Key el with Shane Bauer and Laura Secor Category:2009 in Iran Category:2010 in Iran Category:2011 in Iran Category:Iran–United States relations Category:Presidency of Barack Obama Category:American people imprisoned in Iran Category:People convicted of espionage in Iran Category:Foreign nationals imprisoned in Iran Category:2009 in Iraqi Kurdistan Category:Iran–Iraq border Category:Iran in the Iraq War Category:Kurdistan Region in the Iraq War Category:Iran–Oman relations Category:Oman–United States relations Category:Border control