Iran ? A lawyer for a jailed American journalist in Iran said Sunday he was optimistic that an appeals court will reduce her eight-year prison sentence for allegedly spying for the United States.

Roxana Saberi’s lawyer talked to reporters after his 32-year-old client’s five-hour closed-door appeals hearing. He said he was allowed to defend Saberi and expects the court will make its ruling in the coming days.

“I am hopeful and optimistic that there will be a remarkable change to her verdict,” Abdolsamad Khorramshahi said outside the courthouse. “My colleague and I were allowed to defend our client in a favorable atmosphere. Our client also had enough time to defend herself.”

Saberi, who grew up in Fargo, N.D., was convicted last month after a closed-door hearing that her father said lasted only 15 minutes and her lawyer was not given time to defend her.

The case has caused tensions between the U.S. and Iran at a time when President Barack Obama has said he wants to engage America’s longtime adversary. Washington has called the charges against Saberi baseless and demanded she be freed.

Iran had promised a complete review of the case.