Iran releases American held two years in Tehran

WASHINGTON (AP) — Iran set free an American businessman jailed in Tehran for more than two years on suspicion on ties to an allegedly violent opposition group, his lawyer said today.

Reza Taghavi, 71, hadn't been charged with a crime and denied knowingly supporting the organization, known as Tondar.

"He admitted to nothing and he continues to maintain his innocence," the lawyer, Pierre Prosper, told The Associated Press in a telephone interview from Tehran after his client's release from Tehran's Evin prison. He's not expected to return to Southern California before the middle of next week.

Iranian officials are "comfortable that he was in fact used by this organization, and comfortable that he does not pose a threat to them and that he can leave and go back to the United States," Prosper said.