A delegation of Christian and Muslim religious figures is returning from Iran after attempting to secure the release of a pair of American hikers jailed for more than two years on espionage charges. In a statement, the interfaith delegation claimed to have urged Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and other officials to release Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal. Bauer and Fattal were arrested in 2009, along with a third American, Sarah Shourd, while hiking near the Iraq-Iran border. Last week Ahmadinejad suggested the men were being pardoned and would be sent home within the coming days. The Iranian judiciary, however, quickly issued a statement saying the case is only under review and that no decision had been reached. According to the Americans’ lawyer, the release has been delayed because a judge needed to sign bail papers is on vacation until Tuesday. Some have speculated Ahmadinejad has been trying to get the Americans released in time for his visit to the United Nations General Assembly in New York City this week.