Russia has proposed a “phased” process by which Iran could address questions about its nuclear program and be rewarded with a gradual easing of international sanctions.

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov described the proposal Wednesday following talks in Washington with U.S. President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. It seeks to bring Iran back to negotiations about its nuclear program.

Lavrov said Russia has proposed a “step-by-step” process by which Iran would gradually address the concerns of the United Nations nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, about Tehran's nuclear program.

The plan calls for the international community to grant Iran limited concessions, such as freezing some sanctions, for each step it takes toward meeting demands to clarify its nuclear intentions.

Clinton said the U.S. is “committed to a dual track of both pressure and engagement” with Iran, adding that Russian and U.S. experts will discuss more effective strategies for doing that.

Iran's government has refused to heed calls by the United Nations and Western powers to prove its nuclear program is peaceful and not designed to produce an atomic weapon. Talks on the matter broke down earlier this year.