MSNBC’s Tamron Hall interviews Alex Fattal, the brother of one of three U.S. hikers being held by the Islamic republic. In this interview, Alex describes his family’s reaction to an unexpected phone call from his 27-year-old brother, Josh Fattal.

Reprinted from WCCO, Minnesota Local CBS News:

Al Bauer was busy working in his Shakopee workshop when his phone rang.

“I was working, and I was underneath something and I crawled out quick,” Bauer said. “It was on about the last ring and I got it.”

It’s a good thing he hurried. Bauer’s son Shane, who’s been held in Iran since July 31, was on the other line.

“He said, ‘Dad, this is Shane. How’s it going?’” Bauer said with tear-filled eyes. “I said, I said, ‘Pretty good.’”

Shane told his dad he was being held with his friend Josh Fattal. Shane’s girlfriend Sarah Shroud gets to visit them twice a day.

“Every question you want to ask them is gone, you know, you want to hug them and squeeze them through the phone,” Bauer said.

Shane’s mom Cindy Hickey got the next call at her home in Pine City.

“Shane said, ‘Mom, this is Shane. I love you. How are you?’ Those were his very first words,” Hickey said.

Shane’s parents haven’t talked to him in more than seven months. Their son was arrested after accidentally crossing into Iran.

Hickey has been working around eight hours a day trying to get Shane and the other hikers released. Tuesday night’s call proved her work hasn’t been in vain.

“I have to admit in the deep of the night I wondered where he was, how he was and if he was even alive,” Hickey said. “I had those thoughts and quickly put them out of my mind, so this was a relief just to hear him.”

As much as she loved hearing from Shane, Hickey wants more.

“We wished for the phone call. We have it. Now we want to see ‘em,” she said.

The parents of the hikers have hired an attorney to help get their kids out of Iran. They’ve set up a Web site to raise awareness. People, who want to donate, write letters of support or just learn more about the efforts to free Shane and his friends can go to the Web site.

(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)