VIENNA (AP)-- A former U.S. Marine with ties to the Flint area is among the four Americans released in a prisoner swap playing out alongside an accord lifting heavy international sanctions on Iran, in return for the Islamic Republic's agreement to pull back its nuclear program.
A fifth American was released separately.
The negotiated exchange eases one leading irritant as the two countries gingerly explore prospects for improved relations after decades of hostility even as they remain sharply at odds on other fronts.
Former U.S. Marine Amir Hekmati, Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian, pastor Saeed Abedini and Nosratollah Khosravi-Roodsari, whose name had not been previously made public, were freed from custody in Iran and were to be flown to Switzerland, U.S. officials said.
U.S. student Matthew Trevithick was released independently of the exchange on Saturday and already was on his way home.
