By
February 17, 2010

Mohammad Javad Larijani, the secretary general of ’s High Council for Human Rights, said Tuesday that it was “quite possible” that the American hikers held by Iran had strayed into the country by mistake but that “the security people want to be sure this is true.” He added, “We should assume that they are innocent.” Earlier this month, President proposed that several Iranians in American prisons be exchanged for the three Americans: , and . Mr. Larijani also said he had recommended that the families of the three detained Americans be allowed to visit them in prison. The families say the three Americans were hiking in Iraq’s northern Kurdistan region in July when they accidentally crossed the border into Iran.