Josh Fattal and Shane Bauer, American hikers jailed in Iran under suspicion of espionage, were freed last week after over two years as hostages. In a diplomatic twist fit for a movie, it seems that they have Oscar winning actor Sean Penn and Venezuelan leader Chavez to thank.

Reuters reports that Penn, whose political activism resume is nearly as deep as that of his film career, helped secure Fattal and Bauer’s release by flying to Venezuela and appealing to President Hugo Chavez. The country’s deputy foreign minister told the news service that Chavez then spoke to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad about the situation, eventually leading to the end of the imprisonment.

“Penn was very committed to the case … He even flew to Caracas several months ago to raise it with Chavez and he kept on it,” a source told Reuters. Sean Penn’s interference in political events shows no matter how fragile international relations are or how deep ideologies tend to differ, artistry has always a special effect on humanity.

Sean Penn’ influental on Politics: good relations with Chavez and Iran saved American lives

Sean Penn is known for his political and social activism, won best actor Oscars for his roles in the Clint Eastwood-directed drama “Mystic River” in 2003 and as slain gay politician Harvey Milk in the 2008 movie “Milk.”

Sean Penn also has a history with Iran, having visited the country as a journalist for a series of articles written for the San Francisco Chronicle back in 2005, where he was greeted with enthusiaism and interest.

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