Iran says two German journalists who were detained while covering the case of an Iranian woman sentenced to death by stoning have met with their families.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast told reporters Tuesday the meeting took place late Monday at a prison in the northwestern city of Tabriz.
Iran's state-run IRNA news agency says the country's acting foreign minister, Ali Akbar Salehi, met with the relatives Monday, ahead of their visit to Tabriz. German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle issued a statement thanking Salehi for his support. He again urged Iran to release the journalists.
Iranian authorities arrested the two Germans in October on charges of entering the country on tourist visas. Officials said the two failed to obtain the proper journalist credentials.
On Monday, German officials summoned Iran's ambassador in Berlin to protest against the lack of access that had been provided to the relatives, in spite of several promises from Iran.
The German weekly Bild am Sonntag has said two of its employees, who have not been named, travelled to Iran to investigate the case of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani.
Iran had sentenced the mother of two to death by stoning after convicting her of adultery. Her case drew an international outcry.
Tehran has since put her case on hold, pending a supreme court review. She could still face execution by other means.