Obama vows to hold "serious dialogue" with Iran

American President Barack Obama on Friday pledged his country's readiness to have a "serious dialogue" with Iran.

Speaking at a joint press briefing with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in the eastern German city of Dresden, Obama urged Germany to help return Iran to the negotiations table.

Bringing Iran to negotiating table "can't be done in isolation," but needed the help of America's partners, such as Germany, he said.

Obama who arrived in Germany Thursday evening for a one-day visit, said talks on Iran were held in a broader context of avoiding an arms race in the Middle East.

"We must avoid a nuclear arms race in the Middle East," he added.

Iran has repeatedly stated its nuclear program was solely for civilian purposes.

Tehran has also made clear a military nuclear program would be in clear violation of its Islamic teachings and laws.

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