The news is not getting any better for American journalist Roxana Saberi, 31, who was arrested in Iran in January ostensibly for working without press credential, but was later charged with espionage.

The Times is reporting that Saberi (who has dual American/Iranian citizenship) was rushed to trial yesterday, behind closed doors. An Iranian spokesperson said "Yesterday, the first trial session was held. She presented her final defense...The court will issue its verdict within the next two to three weeks."

The Times says it is "unclear why the trial was moving at such a fast pace -- especially because the charges leveled against Saberi were so serious." The U.S. Government has been pushing for Sabieri's release and her parent's are apparently in Iran right now, though they have yet to speak publicly to the press there, though they have been very vocal here in the US since their daughter's arrest.