American hikers freed from Iranian custody

MUSCAT, Oman -- After more than two years in Iranian custody, two Americans convicted as spies took their first steps toward home yesterday as they bounded down from a private jet and into the arms of family for a joyful reunion in the Gulf state of Oman.

The families called this "the best day of our lives," and President Barack Obama said their release -- under a $1 million bail-for-freedom deal -- was "wonderful news." The release capped complicated diplomatic maneuvers over a week of confusing signals by Iran's leadership on the fate of Josh Fattal and Shane Bauer.

While the maneuvering over the two gripped America, it was on the periphery of the larger showdowns between Washington and Tehran that include Iran's nuclear program and its ambitions to widen military and political influence in the Middle East and beyond.

But -- for a moment at least -- U.S. officials may be adding words of thanks in addition to their calls for alarm over Iran.

For Tehran, it was a chance to court some goodwill after sending a message of defiance with hard-line justice in the July 2009 arrests of the Americans along the Iran-Iraq border. The Americans always maintained they were innocent hikers.

"Today can only be described as the best day of our lives," said a statement from their families. "We have waited for nearly 26 months for this moment and the joy and relief we feel . . . knows no bounds.

"We now all want nothing more than to wrap Shane and Josh in our arms, catch up on two lost years and make a new beginning, for them and for all of us," the statement added.

Obama called it "wonderful, wonderful news about the hikers. We are thrilled . . . It's a wonderful day for them and for us."

The families waited on the tarmac at a royal airfield near the main international airport in Oman's capital, Muscat.

About 20 minutes before midnight, Fattal and Bauer, in jeans and casual shirts, raced down the steps from the blue-and-white plane. They made no statements to reporters before walking into the airport terminal building, which was guarded by security officials. The men appeared thin but in good health.

In many ways, the release was a mirror image of the scene last year when Sarah Shourd, who was arrested with Bauer and Fattal, was freed a year ago on $500,000 bail. She received a marriage proposal from Bauer while in prison. Her deal, too, was mediated by Oman.