MOSCOW, January 5 (RIA Novosti) - An Iranian national accused of violating sanctions against Tehran has been released after nearly three years in US custody, Press TV reported on Saturday.

Amir-Hossein Seirafi was released Thursday from a federal prison in Terre Haute, Indiana, and flew back to Iran on Friday.

In January 2010, Seirafi was arrested in Germany over allegations of helping ship specialized vacuum pump equipment to Iran through a free trade zone in the United Arab Emirates.

The US authorities said the equipment could be used in Iran’s nuclear energy program.

Seirafi was extradited to the US later in 2010 and pleaded guilty to conspiracy, money laundering and violating Iran trade embargo.

“They say the sanctions aren’t meant to harm the ordinary Iranian citizens, but as you can see, Iranians like me are the real ones under pressure,” Seirafi told Press TV upon his arrival in Tehran.