Iran resolutely rejected contact with a German citizen of Afghan origin, who is suspected of spying for Tehran, Reuters reported.

Spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry Bahram Qassemi rejected reports in German media about Tehran’s connections with a German-Afghan military translator, saying that unfounded assertion is part of efforts to worsen relations between the EU and Iran.

“While denying any link to this supposed individual ...we are not surprised to hear such news amid baseless security charges concocted by those who seek to damage relations between Iran and Europe at this sensitive juncture,” IRNA quoted the spokesman.

German media reported that a 50-year-old German and Afghan citizen working for the German military was arrested on suspicion of transferring secret military data to Tehran.