The families of three Americans -- including a Minnesota native -- detained in Iran for months say their loved ones have been allowed to call home for the first time. The families say in a statement they received the calls Tuesday. The three reported being well. The families called the conversations "a tremendous relief.''
The families say Shane Bauer, Sarah Shourd and Josh Fattal were hiking in Iraq's northern Kurdistan region in July when they accidentally crossed the border into Iran. Bauer and Fattal are 27 and Shourd is 31. The families say Bauer and Fattal are being held in the same prison cell in Tehran. Shourd is alone in a cell.
Bauer's mother, Cindy Hickey of Pine City, Minnesota, says he sounded strong and determined.
Iran says the three are spies. U.S. officials have called for their release.
