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I applaud Iran for allowing the mothers of Shane Bauer, Josh Fattal and Sarah Shourd to travel to Tehran to visit their children in Evin Prison. This humane action speaks to Iran's understanding of the anguish these families have experienced for too long. We must all now hope and pray that this emotional reunion will not be short-lived.

Shane, Josh and Sarah are simply three idealistic young people who are paying a very high price for the political tensions between the United States and Iran. I trust that the Iranian authorities will witness the joy this reunion brings to these families and take the logical next step and release Shane, Josh and Sarah into the loving arms of their mothers. I am certain that people around the world will applaud Iran for its compassion and humanity if, as I hope, the authorities conclude they can return home together.