Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Patrick Condon, Associated Press
Minneapolis (AP)

Families of 3 jailed Americans criticize Iran

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

The mothers of three Americans jailed in Iran for nearly a year say that country's government is using their children as pawns in a standoff with the U.S.

The mothers released a joint statement Thursday in which they criticized the Iranian government publicly for the first time. Until now, the families have said they didn't want to politicize the case.

But in their statement, the mothers called their children's plight "a cynical attempt by Iran to exert leverage with the United States."

Sarah Shourd, Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal were arrested in late July along the Iran-Iraq border, and Iranian officials have accused them of espionage. Their families say the three were hiking in Iraq's northern Kurdistan and that any border crossing was unintentional.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)