Lawyer for 2 Americans says bail deal approved

    Update, 10:15 a.m.: The Associated Press reports seeing a convoy of vehicles with Swiss and Omani diplomats inside leaving the prison in Iran that was holding the two American hikers.

    According to the Associated Press and WPVI-TV, the convoy was headed to Tehran International Airport.

    The lawyer for two Americans jailed as spies in Iran says a $1 million bail-for-freedom deal has been approved by the courts, clearing the way for the release of the men after more than two years in custody.

    Masoud Shafiei says he plans to go to Tehran’s Evin prison later on Wednesday to begin the procedures for the release of Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal, an Elkins Park native.

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    They were arrested along the Iran-Iraq border in July 2009 and sentenced last month to eight years each in prison. A third American in the group, Sarah Shourd, was freed last year on bail.

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