(CNN) -- A delegation from the Persian Gulf state of Oman is in Iran to seek the release of two American hikers jailed there for more than a year, the U.S. State Department said Tuesday.
"The Omanis pledged to continue to help with the release of the two hikers, and we're very grateful for their efforts," State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said.
He said U.S. officials are staying in "close touch" with the Omanis and with the Swiss Embassy in Tehran, which represents U.S. interests in Iran, but referred questions about the details to Oman's government.
Hikers Josh Fattal, Shane Bauer and Sarah Shourd were arrested after straying across the unmarked border separating Iran from Iraq's Kurdistan region in July 2009. Shourd was released on humanitarian grounds September 14 after Omani authorities posted $500,000 bail, but Bauer and Fattal remain in Tehran's notorious Evin Prison on accusations of spying.
Iran's Foreign Ministry downplayed the Omani visit, according to remarks on the ministry's website.
CNN
