Oman Delegate To Visit Iran To Push For Hikers' Release

TEHRAN (AP) - An Iranian newspaper reports that a delegation from Oman will visit Iran to pursue the release of two American men imprisoned for more than a year.

The Gulf sultanate of Oman played a key role in the release this month of a third American, Sarah Shourd, who was arrested with the two men still held—Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal.

The hard-line daily Jomhuri e-Eslami, which is not state-run but close to the ruling establishment, says the Omanis will visit on Sunday and if the Americans are released, they will be able to leave with the delegation.

Foreign Ministry officials in Oman could not immediately be reached for comment. The Iranian lawyer for the Americans told The Associated Press he was not aware of the Omani visit.

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