The freed U.S. hikers Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal have left Iran after their release from prison. Bauer and Fattal are now in Oman reuniting with family members before heading home to the United States. The two were arrested in 2009 while hiking near the Iran-Iraq border along with Sarah Shourd, who was released last year. Bauer and Fattal spoke briefly to reporters upon landing in Oman.

Josh Fattal: “We’re so happy we are free and so relieved we are free. Our deepest gratitude goes towards His Majesty Sultan Qaboos of Oman for obtaining our release. We’re sincerely grateful to the government of Oman for hosting us and our families.”

Shane Bauer: “Two years in prison is too long, and we sincerely hope for the freedom of other political prisoners and other unjustly imprisoned people in America and Iran.”