* Swiss diplomats visited U.S. hikers detained in Iran * Visit comes ahead of Iran's nuclear talks in Geneva * Swiss represent U.S. consular interests in Iran (Adds comment by U.S. State Department, new paras 7-16) GENEVA, Sept 29 (Reuters) - Swiss diplomats were allowed on Tuesday to visit three American hikers detained in Iran, a Swiss Foreign Ministry spokesman said. The trio were held after they strayed into Iran from northern Iraq at the end of July. "I can confirm ... that Swiss diplomats have had access to, and direct contact with, the three Americans citizens concerned in Iran today," ministry spokesman Lars Knuchel told Reuters by telephone from the Swiss capital, Berne. He declined to give any details, saying that only the U.S. State Department could provide more information. Switzerland has represented U.S. interests in Iran since 1980 following the Islamic revolution a few months earlier. The visits took place on the eve of a meeting between Iran and six world powers being organised in Geneva by the Swiss. The American interests section of the Swiss Embassy in Tehran handles all consular matters of the United States in Iran, such as consular protection and passport applications for American citizens visiting or residing in Iran. In Washington, the U.S. State Department said that Iran had granted consular access to the three Americans. State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said the Swiss ambassador in Iran, who represents U.S. interests in the country in the absence of diplomatic ties between Tehran and Washington, had been told she could meet the three hikers. Crowley added that it was hard to say if Iran's move was related to the planned Thursday meeting in Geneva between Iran and international powers including the United States concerned over its nuclear programme. Iran rejects Western charges that it seeks to acquire nuclear weapons, saying the programme is designed for purely peaceful purposes. "Obviously we welcome this step, but obviously we are anxious to see Iran seriously engage on Thursday and we look forward to that meeting as well," Crowley said. The three hikers, Shane Bauer, 27, Sarah Shourd, 31, and Josh Fattal, 27, crossed into Iranian territory nearly two months ago. The hikers' families say they strayed across the border accidentally. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad this month suggested in an interview with the American television network NBC that the Americans' release might be linked to the release of Iranian diplomats he said were held by U.S. troops in Iraq. A leading Iranian lawmaker has said the illegal entry may have been related to unrest that erupted after Iran's disputed election in June. The Iranian government has said it will take time to investigate the case. Crowley said it was too early to say whether Iran's move might help to create a conducive atmosphere at Thursday's talks, which Western powers have described as a chance for Iran to open up about its nuclear programme or face consequences including more sanctions. "Let's wait and see. We've been demanding consular access since we were informed that Iran did in fact have the hikers just over a month ago," he said. "Obviously we would like to have them released as quickly as possible."(Reporting by Stephanie Nebehay in Geneva and Andrew Quinn in Washington; editing by Michael Roddy)
Detainees of Shi'ite militant group Asaib al-Haq react before their release at Baghdad Airport, in western Baghdad, September 27, 2009. Iraq released dozens of jailed militants at the weekend, including many ...
