Iran president inaugurates heavy-water nuclear facility

Iran has been at the center of an international dispute this year over its nuclear ambitions. Some countries suspect the Islamic Republic of pursuing a covert weapons program, but Tehran has consistently denied the claims and says its needs atomic power for civilian needs.

On Tuesday, Iran responded to incentives from the five permanent UN Security Council members and Germany largely aimed at persuading the Islamic Republic to end work on enriching uranium, by saying it was ready for "serious talks."

/RIA Novosti/