Oman plane in Iran, awaiting US citizens' release

The Gulf state of Oman has sent a plane to Iran for the expected release of two US citizens convicted of spying, and they could be freed within 24 hours, an Omani Foreign Ministry official said on Friday.

"We are still waiting for the final word about taking the Americans to Muscat with our plane now in Tehran. Hard to say when that will happen, perhaps in the next 24 hours, but we are hopeful it will happen soon," the official told Reuters, declining to be identified due to the sensitivity of the issue. (Reuters)