The mother of an American on trial in Iran denied allegations that her son is a spy for the CIA , saying that anything he confessed to was coerced . Iranian authorities allege that Amir Mirzaei Hekmati entered the country to infiltrate its intelligence system in order to accuse Iran of involvement in terrorist activities , according to the semi-official Fars news agency . `` We are deeply concerned for the fate and well-being of Amir , '' Hekmati 's mother , Behnaz , said in a statement Wednesday . `` We are also disturbed by the video and reports coming from the Iranian court that describe Amir admitting to being a spy . It is clear to me and our entire family that Amir is speaking under duress . '' The United States also has called the accusations false . According to Fars , Hekmati told a judge Tuesday that he worked for the CIA and that he was to get paid for delivering information to Iran 's intelligence ministry . He also told the judge he felt he had been duped and that he had planned on not returning to the United States , Fars reported . Hekmati 's mother called the reported admission `` totally false . '' `` It is an indication that he is not speaking freely but being forced to say something that is n't true , '' she said . `` Amir has many financial and business investments in the U.S. and would never walk away from them . '' Hekmati , a former U.S. Marine , was arrested in August while visiting his grandmother and other relatives , his family in Michigan said last week . Up until Wednesday , they had remained quiet about the arrest at the urging of Iranian officials , who promised his release , they said . `` In this environment Amir is a victim , '' his mother said . `` We are convinced that there is a mistake or misunderstanding . We pray and hope he will be allowed to come home soon . '' The Hekmatis said their son served in the Marines from 2001 to 2005 . Later , he started his own linguistics company and contracted his services to the military as well as civilian businesses . His military contracts included cultural competency training . He worked with troops at military bases to promote understanding of , and positive communication , with people of other cultures , his family said . Fars reported that Hekmati said he worked for the U.S. Army for four years and later the CIA , where he was sent to Afghanistan and had access to secret documents . Hekmati was supposed to give his information to the Iranians in two parts -- the first part for free , and if they liked it he would ask for $ 500,000 for the second part , according to Fars . Hekmati said he was to get a receipt from the intelligence ministry for the money , Fars reported . The judge speculated whether the receipt would later be used as evidence linking Iran to terrorist activities , Fars reported . If Iran had paid , Hekmati told the judge , he would have kept the money and lived in Iran , according to Fars . Hekmati 's attorney told the judge his client had been tricked by `` Satan '' -- referring to the United States -- and argued that intent to commit a crime is n't a crime in itself .
The U.S. and his family say Amir Mirzaei Hekmati is falsely accused of spying . He was arrested in August while visiting relatives . Prosecutors allege he was hired to deliver information to Iran . Hekmati served in the Marines from 2001 to 2005 .