The American researcher sentenced to ten years in prison for spying in Iran is not a Chinese national, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said here Monday.

Media reported Wang Xiyue, a 37-year-old history researcher who was imprisoned by Iran for ten years after being found guilty of being "an infiltrating American agent," holds dual Chinese and American citizenship.

Lu Kang denied the claim, saying that China does not recognize dual nationality.

"As he has American citizenship, I can tell you that he is definitely not a Chinese national," Lu said.