Detained U.S. reporter testifies in Iran

TEHRAN, Iran - The Iranian American reporter for the Washington Post detained in Tehran for more than a year on charges including espionage spoke in his own defense Monday during a final closed-door hearing in a trial that has been criticized by the paper and press freedom advocates.

A verdict in journalist Jason Rezaian's case could come as early as next week, said his attorney, Leila Ahsan. She told the Associated Press that she submitted a 20-page defense brief at the start of Monday's session, gave an oral defense during the hearing, and provided the court with a separate written statement at the end following remarks from the prosecutor.

Ahsan confirmed that Rezaian also addressed the court during the hearing, which she said was the last in the case. She declined to provide details, citing confidentiality rules surrounding the trial.

Rezaian's mother, Mary, appeared at the courthouse with her son's wife and fellow journalist, Yeganeh Salehi, though they were not allowed inside the courtroom as in past hearings. She repeated her family's and the Post's position that Rezaian is innocent, telling reporters he is a victim of the hostility between Iran and the United States that dates back to the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

The case has been playing out as Iran negotiated with the United States and other world powers to reach a landmark deal that gives the Islamic Republic relief from crippling sanctions in exchange for curbs on its nuclear program aimed at preventing it from building an atomic bomb. The Obama administration is now trying to secure congressional support for the agreement, which faces resistance in the U.S. and from hard-liners in Iran.

U.S. officials have pressed for the release of Rezaian and other Americans detained in Iran. Washington has joined the Post, Rezaian's family, and media freedom groups in criticizing the charges against Rezaian and his detention in Tehran's Evin Prison.

"He is paying the price of the suspicion, the animosity and the paranoia between the two countries," Mary Rezaian said.

Jason Rezaian, 39, was born and spent most of his life in the United States, and holds American and Iranian citizenship. Iran does not recognize dual nationalities for its citizens.