Freed Iranian prisoners arrive in Tehran
AP
In this image taken from video obtained from the Shaam News Network, which has been authenticated based on its contents and other AP reporting, smoke rises due to heavy shelling in Taftanaz, Idlib province, northern Syria, on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Shaam News Network via AP video)
In this image taken from video obtained from the Shaam News Network, which has been authenticated based on its contents and other AP reporting, smoke rises due to heavy shelling in Taftanaz, Idlib province, northern Syria, on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Shaam News Network via AP video)
In this photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, freed Iranian hostages who were captured by the Syrian rebels, left, received by Iranian officials, left, upon their arrival at a hotel, in Damascus, Syria, Wednesday Jan. 9, 2013. Rebels freed 48 Iranians on Wednesday in exchange for more than 2,000 prisoners, including women and children, held by Syrian authorities ? a deal struck after rare negotiations involving regional powers Turkey, Qatar and Iran. (AP Photo/SANA)
In this photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, freed Iranian hostages who were captured by the Syrian rebels since August, hold roses as they gather at a hotel, in Damascus, Syria, Wednesday Jan. 9, 2013. Rebels freed 48 Iranians on Wednesday in exchange for more than 2,000 prisoners, including women and children, held by Syrian authorities ? a deal struck after rare negotiations involving regional powers Turkey, Qatar and Iran. (AP Photo/SANA)
In this photo provided by the Turkish Islamic aid group IHH, freed Syrian prisoners released by the Syrian government are seen in Damascus, Syria, Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2013. Syrian rebels freed 48 Iranians held captive since August, Iranian state TV reported Wednesday, part of what appeared to be the first major prisoner swap of the civil war. The deal, reportedly coordinated by the IHH, will also involve the release of more than 2,000 Syrians held by Bashar Assad's regime, Turkey's state-run agency Anadolu Agency reported. (AP Photo/IHH)
In this photo provided by the Turkish Islamic aid group IHH, freed Syrian prisoners released by the Syrian government are seen in Damascus, Syria, Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2013. Syrian rebels freed 48 Iranians held captive since August, Iranian state TV reported Wednesday, part of what appeared to be the first major prisoner swap of the civil war. The deal, reportedly coordinated by the IHH, will also involve the release of more than 2,000 Syrians held by Bashar Assad's regime, Turkey's state-run agency Anadolu Agency reported. (AP Photo/IHH)
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) ? Iranian state media says 48 former captives have returned to Tehran after being freed by Syrian rebels in the first major prisoner swap of the civil war.
The special flight Thursday from Damascus came a day after the group was released in exchange for more than 2,000 prisoners held by Syrian authorities. The Iranians had been held more than five months.
Iran's official IRNA news agency says a plane ferrying the group home touched down at Tehran's Mehrabad Airport.
Rebels claimed the captives were linked to Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guard, but Tehran has denied that, saying the men were pilgrims visiting Shiite religious sites in Syria.
Iran is one of Assad's main allies, and the Iranians were a major bargaining chip for factions trying to bring down his regime.
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