The State Department said Thursday that it could not confirm reports that it has reached an agreement under which Turkey would release pastor Andrew Brunson.

NBC News reported a "secret deal" that would see Brunson's release after being held as a prisoner for two years. But State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said she could not confirm the report.

"I am not aware of any such deal," she told reporters. "I'm not aware of any such deal that has been reported by NBC News."

"I'm not aware of anything," she added when pressed. "I can only speak about what I'm aware of and what we do out of this building. We're not aware of anything, there is a hearing that takes place tomorrow, there's a legal process that plays out."

Brunson is scheduled for a court hearing on Friday, and NBC said that hearing is expected to result in his release.

Brunson's imprisonment has led to increased tensions between the U.S. and its NATO ally. Congress temporarily banned the transfer of F-35 warplanes to Turkey over the incident.

Turkish officials charged Brunson with trying to organize a military coup against Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.