Israel criticises German firm's deal with Iran

BERLIN (Reuters) - Israel said on Thursday it was disappointed by Germany's decision to allow a German firm to export gas plants to Iran, saying it contravened the spirit of world powers' sanctions against Iran over its nuclear programme.

Germany's BAFA Federal Office of Economics and Export Control approved plans by a German company to export three liquefied natural gas plants to Iran in February, the German Economy Ministry said in a statement on Thursday.

It said the plants did not fall under any category of goods banned from export.

Israel's Foreign Ministry said it was disappointed by the German move.

"The German government's decision contravenes the spirit of sanctions handed down by members of the (U.N.) Security Council on Iran," the ministry said in a statement.

"The fact that Germany, a member of the leading European group EU3, which includes France, Britain and Germany, is adopting a position that harms the international effort to considerably toughen sanctions against Iran over its continued nuclear programme, is worrying," it said.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry said it would contact "the most senior officials in the German government" to seek explanations and express concern about the case.

Germany's Economy Ministry said: "There was no legal possibility to deny the export."

A German source said the deal concerned engineering firm Steiner Prematechnik Gastec GmbH.