TEHRAN, Iran - The Washington Post is describing as an "outrageous injustice" the conviction of one of its reporters in Iran on charges including espionage.

Iran's judiciary spokesman today confirmed the verdict in the trial of Jason Rezaian, who has been detained in Iran for more than a year. But the spokesman gave no indication of what punishment the Iranian-American journalist could face. He said the ruling can be appealed within 20 days.

In its report, Iranian state TV called Rezaian an "American spy." He reportedly faces up to 20 years in prison.

Washington Post executive editor Martin Baron says Iran "has behaved unconscionably throughout this case," and has now convicted "an innocent journalist of serious crimes after a proceeding that unfolded in secret, with no evidence whatsoever of any wrongdoing."

He says the newspaper is working with Rezaian's family and legal counsel to swiftly appeal the verdict and to push for Rezaian's release on bail pending a final decision.

Rezaian, the Post's Tehran bureau chief since 2012, grew up in Marin County, California, spent most of his life in the United States, and holds both American and Iranian citizenship. Iran does not recognize dual nationality for its citizens.