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Flint Man Released From Iranian Prison Says He Feels Lucky

LANDSTUHL, Germany (WWJ/AP) - U.S. Marine veteran Amir Hekmati of Flint says he feels humbled and lucky to be free again, after being one of four Americans released by Iran as part of a prisoner swap.

Speaking to reporters Tuesday outside the U.S. military's Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany, Hekmati said that news of his impending release came as a surprise.

"It was never nerve-wracking," he said. "I was worried that maybe the Iranian side was going to make demands at the last minute or the deal wasn't going to work out. So up until the last second we were really worried and concerned."

The 32-year-old says he and his fellow prisoners weren't able to relax until the Swiss government plane they were flown out in had left Iranian airspace, after which "champagne corks were popped."

There were serious efforts made to free the Marine Corps veteran from captivity, something that he said surprised Iranians.

"Even the Iranian officials — who were our captors, essentially, were amazed, and had asked us, 'Why is it that they're, you know, working so hard for you?'" Hekmati said. "And I just said, 'Well, that's America — they love their citizens.' And even the other Iranian prisoners were really moved."

Hekmati was optimistic when responded to a European reporter who noted he seemed to be doing well.

"I am well, and I'm only gonna get better, I hope...and this has really been an exceptional time for me."

The prison in which Hekmati was held is reportedly one of the toughest in the world. He was seized by Iranian police during a visit with family members in the Middle Eastern nation.

TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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