Iran is to free Sarah Shourd, one of three American hikers who have been detained for more than a year since they strayed across the border from Iraq.

Iran's ministry of culture and Islamic guidance says Ms Shroud would be freed on Saturday at a hotel in Tehran.

Ms Shroud, 31, Josh Fattal and Shane Bauer, both 27, were detained in July last year.

They claim they wrongly strayed across the border after losing their way while hiking in northern Iraq.

But Iran has previously accused them of spying for the US.

The release will coincide with the Muslim holiday, Eid, when clemency for prisoners is common.

The mothers of the three hikers have voiced hope that this signalled the end to their battle for freedom.

"We hope and pray that the reports are true and that this signals the end of all three of our children's long and difficult detention," Cindy Hickey, Nora Shourd and Laura Fattal said in a joint statement.

"Shane, Sarah and Josh are all innocent and we continue to call for their immediate release, so that they can return home together and be reunited with our families."

The United States has reiterated its call for Iran to free all three hikers.

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs says the government is checking the veracity of reports on the planned release with the Swiss government, which has represented US interests in Iran since the aftermath of the 1979 Islamic revolution.

"These are three innocent children, innocent kids who committed no crime, all three of whom should be released and released immediately by the Iranian government," he said.