An Irishman and two Germans who were kidnapped in Iran earlier this month have been released. Mr Aidan James Leahy (30s), who is based in London, was released along with two other men early this morning, the Iranian government confirmed.
"They are free," a government spokesman told reporters.
A spokeswoman for the Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed the three men had been released and said they were on their way to Tehran where they will be met by the Irish Ambassador.
She said Mr Leahy's family had been informed of his release.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen, is understood to have spoken by telephone to the Iranian foreign minister, Mr Kamal Kharrazi, this morning.
Mr Leahy was kidnapped while on a cycling holiday in Iran on December 2nd. Two Germans he was travelling with were also taken.
They were abducted near the city of Zahedan, capital of the Sistan-Baluchestan province, close to Iran's borders with Pakistan and Afghanistan. Mr Leahy was understood to be cycling from Turkey to India.
Earlier the Iranian foreign minister Mr Kharrazi confirmed the men had been released.
"The three hostages have been released and all are safe," Mr Kharrazi told
reporters, according to Iranian state media.
The men were believed to have been kidnapped by drug smugglers. Iran's deputy interior minister for security affairs Mr Ali Asghar Ahmadi said no
ransom was paid to the drug smugglers.
Most European countries advise their citizens that travel to Iran is safe but urge caution in the border areas. The eastern borders are a key transit route for drug traffickers carrying opium and heroin from Afghanistan.
The Islamic Republic had refused to pay the €5 million ransom demanded by a caller. It encouraged Ireland and Germany to take the same tough line.