“In addition, the Islamic Centre Hamburg and its sub-organisations support the terrorists of Hezbollah and spread aggressive anti-Semitism,” she added. “This is another consistent step against Islamist extremism.”

German officers who raided the Blue Mosque wore blue plastic covers on their shoes to avoid damaging the prayer room as they removed evidence in cardboard boxes.

The German tabloid Bild reported that they used axle grinders and chainsaws to gain access to large quantities of coins and other pieces of evidence.

Germany’s domestic intelligence service has named Mohammad Hadi Mofatteh, 58, as the head of the IZH and says he reports directly to the Islamic Republic, despite the group styling itself as non-political.

He was previously arrested some months ago at Hamburg airport after a return flight from Tehran carrying “secret letters” he allegedly obtained there, Bild reported.

Kamikaze drones

It comes after Spanish police said they had dismantled a gang planning to make 1,000 kamikaze drones, which they intended to sell to Hezbollah in Lebanon.

The operation appears to have been a joint effort with German authorities, which also arrested a suspect with alleged links to the drone programme in the northern city of Salzgitter.