Clinton Pushes for Release of U.S. Journalist Imprisoned in Iran

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Thursday she is very concerned about the health and well-being of Iranian-American journalist Roxana Saberi, who is on a hunger strike after being convicted in Iran on spying charges and sentenced to eight years in jail.

"She is extremely unhappy and quite rebellious about being held in such a horrible situation and is on a hunger strike," Clinton told the Senate Appropriations Committee.

The United States has called the charges against Saberi baseless, and the State Department has offered Iran U.S. goodwill if it responds in a positive way to her release.

The U.S. is working with Swiss diplomats in Iran to get details about the court's decision and to ensure Saberi's well-being.

Appearing before the Committee to discuss funding requests for security efforts in Iraq, Pakistan and Afghanistan, Clinton said Iran's legal process is questionable and appears "impervious" to "civilized standards," nonetheless the U.S. continues to reach out through every channel it can to appeal for her release.

"She has arbitrarily been in our view held without any kind of transparency or process. We have called on the Iranian government, both directly and through other emissaries, to release her," Clinton said.

Saberi's conviction is the first time Iran has found an American journalist guilty of espionage -- a crime that can carry the death penalty.

Saberi, a 31-year-old dual citizen of the United States and Iran, was arrested in late January and initially accused of working without press credentials. But earlier this month, an Iranian judge leveled a far more serious allegation, charging her with spying for the United States.

The Fargo, N.D., native had been living in Iran for six years and had worked as a freelance reporter for several news organizations, including FOX News and National Public Radio.