Iran Lets Swiss See Jailed U.S. Hikers

Last Updated at 3:24 p.m. Eastern

Iran allowed Swiss diplomats to meet with three Americans who have been detained in Iran since being arrested for illegally entering the country in late July, according to U.S. officials.

The move could be seen as a conciliatory gesture on Iran's part, coming two days before a high-profile meeting between Iran and five world powers seeking to persuade Iran to abandon any effort to build nuclear weapons.

"We welcome this step," said State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley. Asked whether it likely is connected to the coming talks in Geneva on nuclear issues, he said: "Hard to say."

The Swiss government, which represents U.S. interests in Tehran, offered few details of the visit.

"Swiss diplomats represent the interests of the United States, and as part of this provide consular protection for U.S. citizens," Swiss Foreign Ministry spokesman Adrian Sollberger told The AP. "In this context, they had direct contact today with the three imprisoned American citizens."

Sollberger said "direct contact" meant they were "personally visited" by Swiss diplomats. He provided no details.

The Swiss represent U.S. interests in Iran because the United States has no formal diplomatic relations with the Islamic republic.

Crowley said it was not clear whether Iran's the decision to grant Swiss access made it more likely the Americans would be allowed to contact their families.

The three Americans are Joshua Fattal, Shane Bauer, and Sarah Shourd.

Since the Americans' arrest, their families have had no contact with them and no information other than the fact of their detention.

On Sept. 22, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, in New York City to speak to attend the United Nations General Assembly, said in an Associated Press interview that he would ask the country's judiciary to expedite the process and to "look at the case with maximum leniency."

His remark sparked hope among the hikers' families that they might be released and allowed to return home.

Despite Ahmadinejad's prior remarks - that the Americans would be imprisoned until the United States released imprisoned Iranians - Fattal's brother, Alex Fattal, told CBS' Maggie Rodriguez, co-anchor of "The Early Show", Tuesday .

"We take great comfort in that," he said. "We're holding vigils tomorrow throughout the country at 14 locations, and what we really hope for is that those vigils will turn into welcome home parties. That's our greatest hope."

Alex Fattal was joined by his and Joshua's mother Laura Fattal and Shourd's mother, Nora Shourd.

"We worry about their day-to-day, you know, like if they're well and if they're healthy, if they're comfortable, how they're taking it mentally," said Nora Shourd. "We just worry about it all the time."

"It is very difficult," said Laura Fattal. "It is a day-by-day difficult situation. We all know Shane, Sarah and Josh are composed individuals, they're calm individuals, and we get reassurance from that. But of course we want to hear from them. We want to hear their voices."

Rodriguez asked whether they were worried if escalating tensions between Iran and the United States might prove to be a setback for obtaining a release of their loved ones.

"No, we're not concerned about that," said Alex Fattal.

"I think in general if you listen to the language from President Ahmadinejad, it's very positive and it seemed to us like it got more positive the more he said," said Nora Shourd. "So we are very encouraged by it."

"President Ahmadinejad is a father himself," said Laura Fattal, "and he has shown and said he has sympathy for our case. So our case is not a political issue."

Laura Fattal said they have been working with the U.S. State Department to try to expedite their release: "They have been a tremendous asset to us."

"There's a lot of people who have taken an interest in Shane, Sarah and Josh, and helping behind the scenes, directly and indirectly," said Alex Fattal, "and for all of those efforts, we're extremely grateful. That support is across the board and I think that's what we'll see tomorrow in these 14 vigils across the country [are] friends who are supportive and concerned.

"Hopefully, all that positive energy will radiate out to Tehran."

Rodriguez asked if former President Clinton, who helped win release of two American journalists held captive in North Korea, had been contacted for possibly helping in this situation.

"Each case is different," said Alex Fattal. "Our case is very different than Euna Lee and Laura Ling's case," adding, "We'll take whatever works."

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Vigils for Joshua Fattal, Shane Bauer and Sarah Shourd will be held Sept. 30 in Boston; New York City Baltimore; Philadelphia; Minneapolis; Los Angeles; Worcester, Mass.; Cottage Grove, Ore.; and several locations in California.