Iran charges 3 Americans with spying

Iran is charging three detained US citizens with espionage, but US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, says there is no evidence to back the charges.

The three, Shane Bauer, Sarah Shourd, and Josh Fattal, were detained after crossing into Iran from northern Iraq at the end of July.

The US administration and their families say they were on a hiking trip and crossed the border accidentally.

Tehran chief prosecutor Abbas Jafari Dolatabadi says the three "have been accused of espionage", and investigations continue. He also says a comment on the situation will be given in the near future.

This is seen as the first signal the Iranian authorities intend to put them on trial.

The US is sending strong messages to Iran, appealing for the release of the three.

Hillary Clinton, US Secretary of State, said, "We believe strongly there is no evidence to support any charge whatsoever, and we would renew our request on behalf of these three young people, and their families, that the Iranian government exercise compassion and release them so they can return home."

Clinton also says the US would continue to make its case through the Swiss Embassy which helps handle US interests in Tehran.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says the Americans crossed the border illegally, and every country has punishment for those who cross borders illegally.

Under Iran's Islamic sharia law, espionage is a crime punishable by death.

Some Iranian officials link the illegal entry of the Americans to the turmoil erupting after Iran's disputed presidential election.