US challenges Iran’s leader to bring detained Americans to New York with him

US challenges Iranian leader to bring home hikers

WASHINGTON — The State Department wants Iran’s president to bring two Americans still detained in Iran back to United States when he attends the U.N. General Assembly next week.

In a message posted on Twitter, department spokesman P.J. Crowley challenged Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to release Shane Bauer and Joshua Fattal and fly them to New York, where he will speak at the annual event.

The challenge came after Bauer and Fattal’s companion, Sarah Shourd, was released from prison on Tuesday after more than a year in custody.

Crowley said in his Tweet that if he wanted to show good will to Americans, he would bring Bauer and Fattal home.

Bauer grew up in Onamia, Minn., and Fattal in Elkins Park, Pa.