Iran was said to have been smuggling weapons and advanced technology components from throughout Europe.

The Iranian smuggling network was said to have used Britain, Italy, Romania and the United Arab Emirates to ship advanced technology to Teheran. The products ordered by Teheran included 200 German-origin telescopic sights, later seized in Romania.

"Their system often involved buying merchandise abroad and moving it between Italy and other nations to hide the final and real destination," Italian counter-insurgency prosecutor Armando Spataro said.

In March, Italian authorities, based on extensive wiretapping, arrested seven people on charges of smuggling military equipment and explosives to Iran. The suspects — five Italians and two Iranians — were said to have attempted to export night-vision systems, telescopic sights, tracer bullets and explosives through Italy.

"They have been accused of criminal association for the purpose of exporting arms and weapons systems to Iran in violation of the international embargo that is in effect," Italian police said in a statement.

Officials said Iran has designated Italy as a hub for weapons and military smuggling from Europe. They said Teheran maintained a large presence in Italy and was also negotiating dual-use deals with companies in the EU state.

"Our investigations were complex, because the traffickers played on the ambiguity between civilian and military arms," Spataro said.

Iran was also said to have acquired anti-tank missiles from Bulgaria. Teheran procured 120 buoyancy jackets designed for military divers and explosives. The shipments were said to have operated through a company in Turin.

Officials said Iran has been using nationals with a civilian cover for the weapons procurement effort. They cited one Iranian detained in Italy, identified as Hamid Nejad Masoumi, a 51-year-old state television journalist.

"It is an investigation of considerable importance because it concerns the entire international community," Spataro said.