Iran frees American woman on $500K bail

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — An American woman released by Iran today after more than a year in prison flew out of the country to the nearby Gulf nation of Oman to be reunited with her mother after a $500,000 bail was paid to win her freedom.

The case that has deepened strains between the U.S. and Iran was still far from resolved, however.

Iranian authorities said they are not considering the immediate release of the two Americans arrested with 32-year-old Sarah Shourd. Iran has charged all three with spying, though their families say they were innocent hikers arrested in a scenic mountain area along Iran's border with Iraq.

The families of Shourd, Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal greeted the news with mixed emotions.

"All of our families are relieved and overjoyed that Sarah has at last been released but were also heartbroken that Shane and Josh are still being denied their freedom for no just cause," they said in a statement.

Shourd's mother Nora said she has hoped and prayed for this moment for 410 days.