Americans Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal were released in September 2011, after being held in Tehran's Evin Prison for 26 months. Oman's envoy in Iran said in a statement that "the Islamic Republic of Iran has handled Bauer and Fattal to the custody of Dr. Salem Al Ismaily, the envoy of Sultan Qaboos bin Said, the Sultan of Oman, a country that enjoys excellent relationships with both Iran and the USA. Dr. Al Ismaily with the hikers left on their way to Muscat where they will spend a couple of days before heading home."