Iranian court has sentenced death to an American. The imprisoned citizen has been charged with spying for the CIA. The decision has come amid the worsening diplomatic relations between the US an Iran over the nuclear program in Iran. This may lead to rise in hostilities between the two countries.

The man is Amir MirzaeiHekmati. He is 28 years old. The sentence has also come in the backdrop of the countries of European Union deciding to impose a ban on Iran from exporting its oil to the European Union nations.

The man has been imprisoned since August. The international observers expected Iran to make him a point for leverage for itself in its tussle over the nuclear program.

Since the Islamic Revolution of 1979, the sanctions have led to all-time low relationsbetween Iran and the West. But Iran seems to be determined to face the sanctions head on. It has announced enriching uranium at a new point. This announcement follows its threat to close the Strait of Hormuz.

The man was detained in August 2011. His family says he visited Iran to see his grandparents. His detention was made public of late, as per the sources,in last month only.

The US department called for his release underlining Iran’s history of confessions forced upon by Iranian prosecutors. CIA though has evaded from making comments.

As per the rights activists’ version, it is the first time in last three decades that one American arrested on charges of spying has been sentenced to death. The Americans were arrested earlier too, but they were released on payment of bail money.

Speculations are high on the verdict. While some smell in it a political motivation to increase the leverage for Iran on its nuclear issue, Iran has made its gestures clear that it can respond to the series of sanctions internationally imposed on it.