Iran spy trial of Washington Post reporter resumes

The trial of Washington Post correspondent Jason Rezaian on charges of spying on Iran resumed behind closed doors in Tehran on Monday, a news agency linked to the judiciary reported.

MizanOnline gave no details of the new hearing before Branch 15 of the Tehran revolutionary court.

Rezaian, a 39-year-old Iranian-American, has been in custody since last July.

At a first hearing on May 25, prosecutors presented the charges against him, which include "collecting confidential information", "cooperating with hostile governments" and "propaganda against the regime".

Rezaian's family has dismissed the charges as "laughable".

The United States has called on Iran to release the journalist.

But Tehran does not recognise dual nationality, and says the case is a purely Iranian matter.

Reziaian's detention has overshadowed a thaw in relations between Tehran and Washington as the two governments seek a landmark nuclear deal by June 30.

Rezaian, who has worked for the Post since 2012, was arrested with his wife, Yeganeh Salehi, also a journalist, at their home on July 22, last year.

Another woman, a news photographer whose name has not been disclosed, was also arrested on the same day.

The two women have since been released on bail and no date has yet been set for their trial.