Two Americans held in Iran on spying charges for nearly two years will go on trial on Wednesday, the State Department said on Tuesday.

Fattal, Bauer, and American Sarah Shourd were arrested by Iranian forces on July 31, 2009, on suspicion of spying after crossing into Iran from Iraq.

Shourd, who was released on bail in September and returned home, has said they were "innocent hikers" and never intended to cross into Iran.

"We understand from our Swiss protecting power that Iranian authorities have confirmed May 11th as the new trial date," State Department spokesman Mark Toner told reporters.

Switzerland looks after U.S. interests in Iran because the United States and Iran do not have diplomatic relations.

Iran delayed an earlier hearing that had been scheduled to start in November 2010.

In Tehran, a lawyer for the three Americans said on Monday it was unlikely that Shourd would return for the hearing.

Reuters