Forty-eight Iranians held hostage by armed groups in Syria since August, were released on Wednesday.

State television reported on Wednesday that the Iranians, who were threatened with execution, were released, but without saying further details.

Iran has appealed to Turkey and Qatar, both with close relations with Syria militants, for help in securing the release of the pilgrims who were visiting the Sayyida Zeinab shrine, a holy site in the southeastern suburbs of Damascus.