The 52-year-old businessman is believed to have tried to send a consignment to a company linked to Iran's disputed nuclear programme, the office of prosecutor Monika Harms said.

The man's home and office in Berlin were raided by customs officials on Tuesday. According to the prosecuting authorities, he could face charges of smuggling prohibited material to a blacklisted company.

Germany is among six major nations trying to agree on implementing a third round of UN sanctions against Tehran for refusing to halt sensitive enrichment work in its nuclear programme.

The West accuses the Islamic republic of trying to build atomic weapons, but Tehran counters that the programme is aimed purely at meeting Iranians' energy needs.