THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) Secretary of State Hillary Rodham CLinton says she has sent Iran a direct letter about imprisoned journalist Roxana Saberi and two other U.S. citizens unable to leave that country.

Clinton says the letter to Iran says letting the three got would be a humanitarian gesture.

The move comes as the United States and Iran took a step toward easing 30 years of tense relations.

U.S. diplomat Richard Holbrooke had a brief meeting with Iran's deputy foreign minister in the Netherlands today at an international conference on Afghanistan. Holbrooke is a special envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Clinton called the meeting "cordial" and said "they agreed to stay in touch." Senator Kent Conrad says the State Department continues to work for the release of Saberi, who has been held in Iran since January.

Her parents said this week they were going to Iran to see her and speed her release.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 03-31-09 1720CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list