Iran: Death sentence for U.S. 'spy'

TEHRAN -- A former U.S. Marine interpreter arrested while on a trip to visit his Iranian grandmothers has been sentenced to death as a CIA spy, state radio reported yesterday, in a case likely to become a new flash point in the escalating tensions sparked by Tehran's defiance over its nuclear program and Washington's efforts to impose more crippling sanctions.

"We are seriously concerned regarding the death sentence, secrecy, and continued lack of transparency surrounding the prosecution," said Hadi Ghaemi, a spokesman for the New York-based International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran.

The espionage charges against Arizona-born Amir Mirzaei Hekmati were similar to previous prosecutions of Americans who were sentenced to jail time and later freed.

In Washington, National Security Council spokesman Tommy Vietor described Hekmati, 28, as a victim of false charges.

"Allegations that Mr. Hekmati either worked for, or was sent to Iran by the CIA, are simply untrue," said State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland.

Hekmati's mother, Behnaz, said she and her husband, Ali -- a professor at a community college in Flint, Mich. -- were "shocked and terrified."

"A grave error has been committed," she said in a statement.

In Albany Monday, state legislative leaders said they will prohibit state and local governments from doing business with companies that invest in Iran's energy sector.