"We hope that the trial of these two (American) nationals will proceed in a manner that will result in their freedom," Salehi was quoted as saying by Fars news agency.

The trial of the Americans, Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal, who were detained two years ago on the border with Iran, ended last Sunday, with state media reporting at the time that a verdict was expected soon.

Copyright AFP (Agence France-Presse), 2011