The wife of an American pastor held as a prisoner in Iran said that he was among seven freed under a 'prisoner swap'.

Saeed Abedini has been named as one of those freed today, according to news agencies in Iran.

His wife Naghmeh Abedini tweeted: "It is confirmed: Saeed is released from Iranian prison."

The former Washington Post journalist Jason Rezaian is also reported to be among four men with dual US-Iranian national to be released.