Russia Calls on West to Consider Relaxing Iran Sanctions

Russia believes it is time to consider relaxing sanctions pressure on Iran amid hope of progress in the standoff over its nuclear program, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was quoted as saying Tuesday.

"It is necessary to avoid tightening the sanctions pressure against Tehran and start thinking about ways for a possible weakening (of sanctions) in a way that is tangible for Iran," Lavrov said in an interview with Kuwaiti news agency KUNA

His remarks came following the victory of moderate Hassan Rowhani in Iran's presidential election, which raised cautious hopes about a continuation of the progress seen in talks between world powers and Iran in Almaty, Kazakhstan earlier this year.

"For the first time in many years, hopeful signs have appeared in this process," Lavrov said.

Lavrov said he believed that Iran was now ready to agree to suspend efforts to enrich uranium to 20 percent, which could prove to be a crucial moment after years of stalemate in the talks.

"This could be a breakthrough agreement and to a large extent remove the acuteness of the existing problems," said Lavrov, saying concessions by Iran needed to be met with similar steps by world powers.

Iran has been slapped with successive rounds of U.N. Security Council sanctions and also unilateral measures by the United States and the European Union.

The sanctions initially only targeted the nuclear and defense industries but have now started to hurt the wider economy, causing concern among ordinary Iranians and even the leadership.

Russia has repeatedly suggested that a step-by-step easing of sanctions on Iran matched by concessions from Tehran is the best way to solve the standoff.