The US government will not pay prison bail for American hiker Sarah Shourd, who Iran says it will release on health grounds in exchange for 500,000 dollars, the State Department said Monday. "The United States government does not fund prisoner bail," State Department spokesman Phillip Crowley told reporters, reiterating the standard US policy. "We in the United States government would not be involved in that action, if that action were to be taken."

Over the weekend, Iran's intelligence minister said Iran would be open to a prisoner swap if Washington makes a humanitarian gesture toward Iranians in U.S. custody similar to the one Iran made by permitting mothers' visit.

The mothers of three US citizens held in Iran for 10 months amid spy accusations have called for their release as a "humanitarian gesture" following a reunion with their children. Iran detained Sarah Shourd, 31; Shane Bauer, 27; and Josh Fattal, 27 on July 31, accusing them of illegal border crossing, spying and having links to US intelligence.