The case of the three detained American nationals in Iran is to be closed soon, Iranian Intelligence Minister Heydar Moslehi said Saturday, dpa repored.
"The investigations in the case of the three (Americans) is nearing its end and the verdict to be announced soon," Moslehi told ISNA news agency.
Iranian authorities arrested Shane Bauer, Sarah Shourd and Josh Fattal when they allegedly crossed an unmarked border into Iran while hiking in Iraq's Kurdistan region.
The three hikers' mothers were allowed to visit them for the first time in May and despite hopes, there was no release then on humanitarian grounds.
Tehran earlier this month rejected a call by US President Barack Obama to release the three American hikers, saying Obama would have no role in the legal process and his efforts for their release would remain futile.
The three hikers also face spying charges but the Iranian foreign ministry said that the main charge against the three was still illegal entry into Iran and espionage charges have not yet been fully confirmed but were still being investigated.