Iran has released two French citizens who were jailed in separate cases, according to an announcement by France.

Bernard Phelan, who also holds Irish nationality, and Benjamin Briere were freed from their prison in Mashhad and are currently en route to France.

The French Foreign Minister, Catherine Colonna, expressed relief at their release and called on Iran to release four others who are still detained in the country.

Both men had been on hunger strikes to protest their conditions, raising concerns about their health.

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President Emmanuel Macron celebrated their freedom on Twitter, stating that they can now reunite with their loved ones.

The Dassault Falcon plane carrying the two men took off from Mashhad and is scheduled to land at Paris Le Bourget airport.

Blandine Briere, Benjamin Briere’s sister, who has been leading the campaign for his release, expressed joy and relief at the news.

Caroline, Bernard Phelan’s sister, also expressed their family’s relief at his release.

Phelan and Briere were among several foreigners detained in Iran, whom activists view as hostages held as part of Tehran’s strategy to extract concessions from the West.

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Phelan, a travel consultant based in Paris, was arrested in October on national security charges. In April, he was sentenced to six and a half years in prison, which his family strongly rejected.

Phelan’s family reported that his health deteriorated significantly during his detention, and he had previously gone on a hunger strike.

The release of the two men comes after months of concern and advocacy by their families and international supporters.