World: Americas

US condemns Iran over Baha'i jail sentences

The United States has condemned the Iranian government's persecution of the followers of the Baha'i faith and called on President Mohammed Khatami to set free all those jailed for their religious beliefs.

A White House spokesman said Washington was deeply concerned by the recent sentencing of four Iranian Baha'is to jail terms of between three and ten years.

The four were convicted for teaching Baha'i religious classes.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service