Russia Says Iran Ready for 'Concrete Action'

Russia said on Wednesday that Iran was ready to hold serious talks on its nuclear program that could lead to a gradual lifting of sanctions in exchange for broader transparency from Tehran.

"We have a clear understanding... that Iran is ready to agree on concrete actions," Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told reporters, without elaborating.

Lavrov spoke as world powers were due to hold talks with Iranian officials in Baghdad aimed at reaching a breakthrough in the long-running nuclear crisis.

Russia has urged future talks to be based on a formula under which nations gradually lift four sets of U.N. Security Council sanctions on Iran once it begins meeting specific concerns.

Lavrov said this process should last "until we reach the stage where it becomes clear to everyone that Iran's nuclear program does not have a military dimension".

He also urged U.S. President Barack Obama not to sign into law new sanctions against Iran approved by U.S. Senate on Monday.