After more than two years in Iran, U.S. hikers return home

The Associated Press reports Shane Bauer and Elkins Park native Josh Fattal have returned to the United States today, after being held in Iran for more than two years.

According to the AP, the two arrived at Kennedy Airport in New York at about 11 a.m.

This morning, WPVI-TV aired video of Fattal and Bauer giving a brief news conference, describing what they did during their first day of freedom.  The two said they stayed awake all night with family members and watched the sun rise.

Their return to the United States marks the end of an ordeal that started in July 2009, when the two, along with fellow hiker Sarah Shourd, were detained while hiking on the Iran-Iraq border.

The three were accused of spying, but maintained their innocence.

Last year, Shourd was released for health reasons.  But Fattal and Bauer remained and earlier this month were sentenced to eight years each in prison.  A $500,000 bail-for-freedom deal for each hiker, however, was negotiated, leading to the release of the two men.