Iran govt. adapts 'moderate approach' by releasing 11 political prisoners

Iran has released eleven political prisoners, including two renowned human rights advocates, in an effort to promote a more moderate image of itself.

According to Fox News, several political prisoners, eight women and three men, including internationally-recognized human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh, were released Wednesday.

The move comes just before new President Hassan Rowhani's prepares to address to the U.N. General Assembly.

Rowhani earlier promised in his election campaign to release political prisoners in an effort to distance himself from his hardline predecessor, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

However, the country's jails are packed with over 800 political prisoners, including journalists, photographers, bloggers, lawyers, human rights activists and Christians and Bahais.

Analysts, meanwhile, said changing Iranian policy should also include a pledge not to pursue nuclear weapons to convince the world.

Iran is reeling under international sanctions imposed because of its rogue nuclear program, the report added.