"The consular attache Mohraramalai D. made contact with a Bavarian firm of specialists, apparently trying to buy a piece of equipment which could also be used in uranium enrichment," the magazine said.

The German foreign ministry contacted by AFP on Saturday refused to comment on the report.

Germany, along with the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, is one of the six powers trying to persuade Tehran to give up its nuclear programme.

Iran insists its uranium enrichment activities are only for civilian ends but the international community fears it is trying to acquire a nuclear bomb.

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