Iran launched an atomic project

Iran says its message is a message of peace (Photo: BBC)

Mr. Ahmadinejad inaugurated the factory in Arak in southwestern capital Tehran.

Heavy water will be used to cool the reactor under construction in the area, which will produce plutonium by-products, which can be used to make warheads.

The opening took place just five days before the deadline given by the United Nations to Iran, demanding that the country stop its nuclear program. Iran says its activities are for peaceful purposes only.

The United States says Tehran is seeking to build nuclear weapons, while Iran says it is building a reactor to supply nuclear power to the country.

'Peace goals'

The news said that President Ahmadinejad visited the factory site, located 190km southwest of the capital.

"Inaugurating a heavy water factory in Arak is a big step towards using your rights, that is, Iran wants to achieve peaceful nuclear technology," Foreign Ministry spokesman Iran Hamid Reza Asefi is quoted on state television.

The opening ceremony took place amid international pressure on Iran, demanding that the country stop its nuclear program.

On Friday, Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said no country could force Iran to give up its " peaceful purpose " nuclear program.

Iran has offered to have " serious dialogues " in advance of the package of international incentives to exchange for Iran to suspend uranium enrichment by August 31 at the latest.

But the United States said it was necessary to stop research on enrichment first. China and Russia earlier said that negotiation is the only way.

Iran may face sanctions if it does not stop its nuclear program