Josh Fattal

The mother of one of two Americans held in Iran says she'll be up at 1 a.m. Wednesday waiting for any news as they go on trial on espionage charges.

Boxing champ Muhammad Ali is asking Iran to release two American hikers held since 2009 on spy charges. Ali, arguably the most prominent U.S. Muslim, on Wednesday released to The Associated Press a letter he wrote to supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in February.

An Iranian court is holding a closed-door session to begin proceedings against three Americans detained 18 months ago and accused of spying. Authorities imposed a blanket ban for observers, including Swiss Ambassador Livia Leu Agosti who represents U.S. interests in Iran.