Iran Hiker's Mom: 'I Wished It Was Me, That I Could Also Have My Son Back' (VIDEO)

The Huffington Post's Samira Nanda caught up with Cindy Hickey and Laura Fattal, mothers of the two American hikers still imprisoned in Iran.

The women expressed "overwhelming" elation at the release of the third hiker, Sarah Shourd, and discussed the handling of the situation by the Obama administration.

Of course, they are both anxiously awaiting the release of their own children. "In that same second, I said I wished it was me, that I could also have my son back," Fattal said.

WATCH:

Comments

[econ1]

02:31 PM on 09/21/2010

When you get them back, give them a dope slap.

Going for a hike near the Iranian border......yup, sounds like a good idea.

[Jason Richards]

09:26 AM on 09/19/2010

Hey, anyone want to go hiking? where? oh, just over in Iran. If we have any problems, the American tax payer will get us out. How much will it cost? well, bare minimum; about 500,000 us dollars ...but we will get our 15mins.

[ChiProgressive]

05:15 PM on 09/18/2010

I'm tired of these extreme and illegal travelers getting into trouble, whether it be on dangerous borders or in dangerous conditions.

They cost resources and sometimes even lives when they need rescuing.

Does anyone else think that we should just leave them to deal with the consequences.

[kungfoochimp]

05:02 PM on 09/18/2010

If you believe that four jewish 'journalists/students' accidentally wandered into Iran on a 'hike" you need to do some more research. It is interesting that 2 of the last names were changed to Steel and Maxwell in some press accounts. Why? To take the heat off the jewish angle, and possibly the Mossad. The most logical explanation I have read thus far is that they were attempting to cross the border unnoticed, then link up with contacts inside Iran. But that may never be known.

Jewish/Israeli spies use the "student" cover regularly. As for why American citizens appear to be working for the Israeli government is bothersome in its own right, and leads one to ask what tasks inside the US are being undertaken by American citizens against this country.

[Uproar]

08:56 AM on 09/17/2010

Just curious, why does the media ALWAYS only portray the "mothers" of kidnapped people as wanting their children back? Do the fathers not just as desperately want their children back?

[KIVPossum]

03:22 PM on 09/16/2010

I wished it was me


We do too, lady. Then we wouldn't have to listen to you whine every day

[Poncia]

04:14 AM on 09/16/2010

Thinking about a white wedding? Come on!
Think about what they were doing there in the first place, breaking the law of another country.

[yappnmutt]

03:17 AM on 09/16/2010

if its true the apple doesn't fall far from the tree then the parents of these kids have only contributed more genes to the bottom of the class.

[uncc49er]

02:35 AM on 09/16/2010

Give an ultimatum to Iran for the release of the rest of these hikers. Those who compare Gitmo to the situation of these hikers are nothing more than a bunch of terrorists commenting on HP.

[KIVPossum]

03:23 PM on 09/16/2010

Give them an ultimatum for what? For arresting illegal aliens?

[photog606]

02:08 AM on 09/16/2010

I thought a "Wandering Jew" was a house plant? Looks like more people are finally becoming more aware of what the hell has BEEN really going on...

Terrorists may be using New Zealand passports - 29 April 2004
Police fear al Qaeda terrorists using NZ passports following arrest of 2 men in Thailand and seizure of fake NZ passports
http://home.nzcity.co.nz/news/article.aspx?id=38985&cat=975

"al Qaeda terrorists" with NZ passports...

'Mossad spies' jailed over New Zealand passport fraud - 16 July 2004
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2004/jul/16/israel

"It is rather strange that the US media seems to be ignoring what may well be the most explosive story since the 11 September attacks — the alleged break-up of a major Israeli espionage operation in the USA."
Allies and Espionage
Jane's Security News, 13 March 2002

US arrests 200 young Israelis in spying investigation
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/israel/1387069/US-arrests-200-young-Israelis-in-spying-investigation.html

"Evidence linking these Israelis to 9/11 is classified..."
http://www.brasschecktv.com/page/61.html

[hottingers]

01:15 AM on 09/16/2010

Said at both parents houses of the ones still in jail: "Why did that bi tch get out while my boy is still in jail?"

[capstan]

01:12 AM on 09/16/2010

As soon as I see them referred to as "young american hikers", I know I'm reading a propaganda rag!
If these people weren't jews, this would be a non story. On the other hand, if they weren't jews, they wouldn't have been there mapping targets for Mossad, and looking for Irans hidden nuclear facilities.

[No War With Iran]

09:25 PM on 09/15/2010

Dear parents of hikers,

I apologize for all of the negative comments here on Huff Post about your sons and daughter. I believe they are neither "idiots" nor "spies" as some here do.

I feel that they are probably likable young people that I would enjoy getting to know and share a similar world view with. I've followed their case since the day it was announced and am glad an end seems finally in sight.

I believe they are innocent and should not have been held for this length of time, and I hope they are returned to the USA soon.

Hang in there a little longer.

[Lisette]

09:43 PM on 09/15/2010

hey, speak for yourself ONLY

[KIVPossum]

01:46 AM on 09/16/2010

Not idiots or spies? What other option do you present? Looking for a quite place to lay their picnic blanket?

[KIVPossum]

02:01 AM on 09/16/2010

quiet

[Soulcatcher]

09:20 PM on 09/15/2010

I sort of wish it was her, too: the parent who forgot to teach their kid about common sense.

[nongrata]

10:28 PM on 09/15/2010

Any common sense she had, I am sure she lost at Berkley.

[Madhyamika]

09:14 PM on 09/15/2010

Sure these three smart looking American hikers are not spies. They just enjoy the scenic beauty in Iran after they got tired of the war-torn Iraq scene. Of course the US State Department did not pay any ransom for the release of Sarah Shourd who is suffering from some health problem, since she is not a spy. The US government never lie.