Prisoner Swap: Bauer, Shourd And Fattal To Be Swapped In Iran?

U.S. citizens Shane Bauer, Sarah Shourd and Josh Fattal may be swapped for Iranian prisoners in a cross-nation prisoner swap. The Iranian government agreed to a swap involving Bauer, Shourd And Fattal in exchange for Iranians Baktash Fattahi, Amir Amirnazmi, Amir Hossein Ardebili and Mahmoud Yadegari who are being held in the U.S. Two others -- Amir-Shahrzad Amir-Qolikhani and Hassan Saeid Kashari -- have allegedly been short-listed as well.

Bauer, Shourd And Fattal were charged with espionage by Iran authorities after they were arrested while crossing Iraq-Iran border in July. The Americans claim they were hiking in the region and got lost.

It is being reported that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad proposed the swap, but the details have not been clear cut yet. The U.S. government has confirmed today that it was not in discussion with Iran over a possible prisoner swap.