Alex Fattal says he and his mother, of Elkins Park, Pa., are encouraged by a recent interview Ahmadinejad gave to NBC. They haven't received official word from the American or Iranian governments.
Family members say Joshua Fattal, Shane Bauer and Sarah Shourd were detained after they strayed into Iran while hiking in Iraq in July. They attended the University of California, Berkeley.
Fattal's brother is praying for some encouraging news.
"We just want to hear his voice, we want to hear he's okay, want to know that he's sleeping, that he's eating. Want to know that he's being well treated. Ultimately we want him home as soon as possible," Alex Fattal said.
Josh's family maintains the hiking enthusiasts must have accidentally crossed the unmarked border while seeking a waterfall that's popular among western tourists.
If Josh is not home by end of month, his family plans vigils around the country including one right here in the Philadelphia area.
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On the Net: Hikers' families' Web site
The Associated Press contributed to this report
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