Iran Official: Courts Willing to Commute Prison Sentences for Jailed Americans

In this May 21, 2010 file photo, American hikers Shane Bauer, left, Josh Fattal, center, and Sarah Shourd are shown in Tehran. (AP)

TEHRAN, Iran-- The lawyer for two Americans jailed in Iran says he is waiting for a second, key signature on bail arrangements for a possible release of his clients, convicted of spying.

Masoud Shafiei says he is back in court on Sunday, trying to complete the paperwork on the $1 million bail deal for Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal.

Iran's foreign minister says the courts are willing "in near future" to commute the prison sentences for two jailed Americans convicted for spying.

Shafiei says one judge signed the documents on Saturday but a second judge has to sign before the bail can be posted. No timeframe was set for the pair's release.

Ali Akbar Salehi says Iran's judiciary was ready to cancel the sentences as a gesture of Islamic mercy. But he did not give any clearer indication on when the two men could be released.

Salehi comments at a news conference Saturday come as international efforts intensified to seal a $1 million bail-for-freedom deal for Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal. They were detained along the Iran-Iraq border in July 2009 and each sentenced to eight years in prison.

Mediators from Iraq and Oman have asked Iran to free them and an Omani plane is in Tehran to carry the pair out of Iran if a deal is reached.