Detained Iran Hikers' Families Write of Heartache

By: Brian Montopoli
Topics: Iran

(AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)

The families of the three American hikers apparently detained by Iranian authorities after mistakenly crossing the unmarked border from Iraqi Kurdistan into Iran have put out a statement calling for the hikers' release.

The three Americans – Shane Bauer, Sarah Shourd and Josh Fattal – have now been missing for 12 days.

"As loving parents, nothing causes us more heartache than not knowing how our children are, and not being able to talk to them and learn when we will hold them in our arms again," the families write in the statement.

"Shane, Sarah and Josh are young travelers who share a great love of the world and a deep respect for different cultures, societies and religions," they write. "We believe that when the Iranian authorities speak to our children, they will realize that Shane, Sarah and Josh had no intention of entering Iran and will allow them to leave the country and reunite with their families."

"We continue to hope that this misunderstanding will be resolved as quickly as possible," they add.

Bauer is a 27-year-old freelance journalist who has been living in Damascus, Syria with the 31-year-old Shourd, an English teacher who has been preparing for graduate school. Fattal, 27, is an environmentalist who teaches sustainable living skills in Oregon. (Pictured above: Dukan Resort near Sulaimaniyah, where the three hikers were last seen.)

A fourth member of their party, Shon Meckfessel, stayed behind at the hotel because of a cold and was not on the hiking trip. He released a statement last week explaining that the hikers' entry into Iran had been a mistake.

Iran reportedly formally notified the U.S. State Department that it has the hikers in detention today. Swiss officials have stepped in to represent American diplomatic interests in the matter.

Brian Montopoli
Brian Montopoli is the senior political reporter at CBSNews.com.
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by ducdebrabant November 9, 2009 1:12 PM EST: The Iranians are despicable, but I'm sick and tired of stupid Americans wandering into dangerous countries and creating problems for our government. Maybe if we stopped moving mountains to get these people back, the North Koreans or Iranians would stop putting them on trial and/or they'd start paying more attention to where the hell they are. We're in a sensitive negotiation with Iran as it is, and these idiot "hikers" have just given our enemies three more negotiating chips.; Reply to this comment


by Questionews August 11, 2009 5:36 PM EDT: "The three Americans ? Shane Bauer, Sarah Shourd and Josh Fattal ? have now been missing for 12 days."

Missing?

Missing would imply that nobody knows where they are.
I think we have a pretty good idea where they're at.; Reply to this comment


by sddemocrat August 11, 2009 5:30 PM EDT: Now it's Hillary's turn to get these hikers released. Nope, better call Bill.; Reply to this comment