Forty-eight Iranians held hostage by Syrian rebels since August and threatened with execution were released on Wednesday, Iranian state television reported.
The Iranians, among them several Revolutionary Guards members Tehran claimed were “retired”, were freed in deal exchanging them for 2,130 prisoners held by the Syrian regime, a Turkish charity told AFP.
Iran insisted the 48 Iranians were all pilgrims visiting a Shiite shrine in southeast Damascus. It denied any of them were on active service in Syria.
48 Iranians held by Syrian rebels 'released': Iran TV
