Muhammad Ali asks Iran to free US hikers

Boxing champ Muhammad Ali is seeking the release of two American hikers from Iran by lobbying the country's supreme leader in a way that few American dignitaries can: as a brother in Islam.

Arguably the most prominent US Muslim, Ali made his simple, behind-the scenes appeal to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in February and released his letter to The Associated Press on Wednesday. Ali's wife said he would be willing to return to the country, which he's visited twice before, to work on the hikers' release if his health allows. (AP)