Sweden charges man with trying to sell Iran uranium enrichment hardware

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad visits the Natanz, Iran, uranium enrichment facilities April 8, 2008, 200 miles south of the capital Tehran. / Getty

STOCKHOLM A Swedish man has been charged with breaking international sanctions against Iran after allegedly trying to export material typically used in uranium enrichment.

Police are not disclosing the identity of the 31-year-old, who is accused of trying to sell 11 advanced valves to Iran in February and April last year. A court document claims the man lacked permission to export such valves and has broken international sanctions.

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Swedish nonproliferation expert Daniel Nord said Tuesday that the equipment could be used in the oil and gas industry and other sectors but the valves' properties are so advanced "it would be overkill to use them" for such purposes.

Nord says the valves are typically used for enriching uranium, a crucial procedure for developing nuclear fuel and weaponry.