German companies suspected of 'nuclear' deliveries to Iran

German customs agents raided 41 companies across the country last week suspected of illegally selling equipment and technology to Iran intended for use in its nuclear programme, authorities said today.

A team of 250 customs agents confiscated equipment worth roughly €2m during the searches, ordered by prosecutors in the northern city of Potsdam, prosecutors and customs officials of Berlin and Brandenburg said in a joint statement.

“Based on what we know so far, German companies were repeatedly contacted by businesspeople responsible for Iran and asked about deliveries for specific equipment,” the statement said.

“This equipment ... was suitable for use in the nuclear programme there.”

The statement mentioned cables that could be used for military purposes were confiscated, but did not otherwise elaborate on what the trafficked equipment was.

The companies, located in 10 of Germany’s 16 states, were contacted covertly regarding the deliveries, the statement said.

Prosecutors have launched a full-scale investigation of the evidence.