1.   Perhaps because denial seemed such a crude affair, and truth so lamentably one-dimensional.

2.   But the denials then seemed less than ironclad.

3.   The denial seems to be an attempt by the Iranian government to mollify Germany, which reacted angrily to news of the verdict.

4.   The denial Sunday seems to be an attempt by the Iranian government to mollify Germany, which reacted angrily to news of the verdict.