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Iran frees detained US academic Iran frees detained US academic
(about 3 hours later)
A leading Iranian-American academic jailed in May during a visit to Tehran has been freed on bail, the official state news agency Isna has reported. A leading Iranian-American academic jailed in May during a visit to Tehran has told Iranian television she is "very happy" after being freed.
Detained on security-related charges, Haleh Esfandiari, 67, was released for a bail of 3bn rial ($320,000; £160,000), according to Isna. Haleh Esfandiari, 67, who is accused of spying, was released for a bail of 3bn rial ($320,000; £160,000), the official state news agency Isna reported.
Ms Esfandiari, who works for a research institute in Washington, was jailed while visiting her 93-year-old mother.Ms Esfandiari, who works for a research institute in Washington, was jailed while visiting her 93-year-old mother.
The development comes amid ongoing tensions between the US and Iran. State-run TV showed her emerging from prison in Tehran and meeting family.
A spokesman for the US National Security Council welcomed the academic's release. Speaking in Farsi, Ms Esfandiari said: "I'm very happy. It was unexpected.
'Spying' "They treated me very well in the section. I had a room, it was very big, it had a window. I could have air whenever I wanted. The food was very good.
Now we hope she will not only be released from prison but allowed to come back home Shaul BakhashHaleh Esfandiari's husband "The women (warders) in that section were very pleasant. They were educated and behaved well."
A spokesman for the US National Security Council welcomed the academic's release, which comes amid ongoing tensions between America and Iran.
In December, while on her way to the airport to return to the US, Ms Esfandiari's taxi was stopped by three men who stole her belongings, including her Iranian and US passports.In December, while on her way to the airport to return to the US, Ms Esfandiari's taxi was stopped by three men who stole her belongings, including her Iranian and US passports.
Now we hope she will not only be released from prison but allowed to come back home Shaul BakhashHaleh Esfandiari's husband
When she went to replace her passport, she was sent to the intelligence ministry, where she was repeatedly questioned about her work as the director of the Middle East Program at the Woodrow Wilson Centre in Washington.When she went to replace her passport, she was sent to the intelligence ministry, where she was repeatedly questioned about her work as the director of the Middle East Program at the Woodrow Wilson Centre in Washington.
In May, after being repeatedly prevented from leaving Iran, she was taken to the notorious Evin Prison in Tehran, the Woodrow Wilson Centre said. In May, after being repeatedly prevented from leaving Iran, she was taken to the notorious Evin Prison in the Iranian capital.
Iranian media accused her of spying for the US and Israel.Iranian media accused her of spying for the US and Israel.
'Coerced'
Her husband spoke from the US of his relief at her release.Her husband spoke from the US of his relief at her release.
Shaul Bakhash told the Associated Press news agency from his Maryland home: "I feel extremely good.Shaul Bakhash told the Associated Press news agency from his Maryland home: "I feel extremely good.
"It has been a very anxious several months. Now we hope she will not only be released from prison but allowed to come back home." "Now we hope she will not only be released from prison but allowed to come back home."
Last month, Iranian television broadcast a programme in which Ms Esfandiari apparently said a network of foreign activists were plotting to overthrow the Iranian government.
But the Woodrow Wilson Centre said the statement had been "coerced".
Another Iranian-American academic, Kian Tajbakhsh, who appeared in the same broadcast, is thought to remain in prison in Iran.
The BBC's Pam O'Toole says the Iranian authorities appear highly suspicious of attempts by the Bush administration to promote democratic change in Iran.The BBC's Pam O'Toole says the Iranian authorities appear highly suspicious of attempts by the Bush administration to promote democratic change in Iran.