Release comes as the mothers seek freedom for their own lives in Iran . One man had been held 7 years , the other 6 years . The move could be significant because Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad publicly called for a swap when asked in a newspaper interview in May about the possible release of the hikers . Both men were on a pilgrimage to Iraqi holy sites when they were seized .
Release comes as the mothers seek freedom for their own lives in Iran . One man had been held 7 years , the other 6 years . Both men were on a pilgrimage to Iraqi holy sites when they were seized .