German police say they have raided 41 sites in the country as part of an investigation into the illegal sale of equipment to Iran for possible use in its nuclear program.

Authorities Monday said they seized cash, special cables and other equipment in the raids, which were ordered by the prosecutor's office in Potsdam.

Officials did not comment on the nature of the materials in question.

Reuters news agency quotes an official as saying the materials were shipped from Germany to Russia, where they were to be forwarded to Iran.

He says officials are seeking to question seven people, mostly Russians, in the investigation.

Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.