The Associated Press reports on an interview with Iranian Ambassador to Iraq, Ambassador Hassan Kazemi Qomi, on the fate of U.S. hikers Shane Bauer, Sarah Shourd and Josh Fattal who have been held in Iran since July 31, 2009. In the AP report, the ambassador states that there has been no “deal” for a release of the U.S. hikers, after the recent release of two Iranians from Iraqi custody, and that the fate of the U.S. hikers is in the hands of the “Iranian judiciary.”

— AP reports: “Iranian ambassador: No deal on US hikers”
— AP states “The Iranian ambassador in Baghdad said the recent release of two Iranians from Iraqi custody is not an indication of any impending deal to free three Americans held by Tehran on spying charges.”
— “Ambassador Hassan Kazemi Qomi told The Associated Press the fate of the Americans, who have been held since July, is in the hands of the Iranian judiciary and has no connection to the release of two Iranians earlier this month.”
— “‘There were no deals,’ Qomi said. ‘They (Americans) are in the custody of the judiciary system.'”

— FreeTheHikers.org – campaigns for the release of Shane Bauer, Sarah Shourd and Josh Fattal who have been detained in Iran since July 31, 2009
— FreeTheHikers Petition
— FreeTheHikers Facebook Page
— FreeTheHikers Twitter Page

— Associated YouTube Video