Updated

The mothers of three Americans held captive in Iran the last 117 days have recorded video messages they are asking Iranian authorities to deliver to their children.

From their homes in Minnesota, California and Pennsylvania, the mothers of Shane Bauer, Nora Shourd and Josh Fattal ask their kids to stay positive and express hope that Iranian authorities will take mercy on them.

Click here to view video message.

The three were hiking in northern Iraq in late July when Iranian authorities took them into custody for crossing into the country. The families say their kids were on a hike, but an Iranian prosecutor recently said the three are facing espionage charges.

The families sent copies of the video to the Iranian ambassador to the United Nations and to Iranian authorities asking they be given to their children.