The mothers of three UC Berkeley graduates, imprisoned in Iran for almost a year now after hiking across the border from Iraq are intensifying their rhetoric in the case. Now, they are harshly criticizing the government of Iran.

For 11 months now, the mothers of Sarah Shourd, Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal, all graduates of Cal, have been extremely cautious in their public statements not to antagonize the Iranians who are holding their children. Now they’ve released a statement, demanding the hikers’ release, and calling their continued captivity a “cynical attempt by Iran to exert leverage” with the U.S.

Shourd’s mother Nora, tells KCBS she’s tired of her daughter being used as a pawn by Tehran.

“We’re changing tactics because it’s almost been 11 months, and coming off of our visit a month ago to Tehran – nothing has happened. Absolutely nothing has happened,” said Shourd. “We haven’t had one single word about how they are, and there’s no change in how the case is. Nothing is moving.”

Shourd is deeply concerned about her daughter’s health, and says to Iran’s government, enough is enough.

“Release the kids immediately, or try them,” demands Shourd. “There’s no more please and thank yous here. Let’s see some action.

Iran has threatened to try the three as spies.

(MGO)