Official Denies Deal on Convicted Jews

Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi denied that he had promised Western diplomats that some of the 10 Iranian Jews convicted in July of spying for Israel would be released when an appeals court reviewed their sentences. The sentences were reduced Thursday to terms ranging from two to nine years. The sentences in July ranged from four to 13 years. U.S. and European officials said Kharrazi had promised diplomats at the U.N. Millennium Summit this month that some defendants would be released. Speaking at The Times in Los Angeles, Kharrazi called the trial fair.