The U.S. Senate Monday approved a package of new economic sanctions against Iran, threatening further penalties on the country's oil sector already hit hard by previous such measures.

The move, which came just two days before a new round of talks between Iran and the six powers scheduled for Wednesday in Baghdad, could lead to ill will among the parties concerned and prove counterproductive for the solution of the Iranian nuclear issue.

Iran agreed to resume talks with the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany (P5+1) earlier this year, after a hiatus of more than 12 months since negotiations between the two sides came to a standstill.

The resumption of the talks was welcomed by political leaders and analysts as offering a precious chance to rebuild trust between the parties.

The first round of such talks was held in the Turkish city of Istanbul this April, and though it didn't produce any breakthroughs, it did create some good will among the participating powers.

It's widely expected Iran and the six powers will discuss a draft on "nuclear cooperation" in their dialogue in Baghdad. Moreover, Iran's Foreign Ministry said a "positive outcome" could be achieved this time if the West "acknowledges Iran's nuclear rights and lifted sanctions against Tehran."

Past experiences show the Western practices of using sanctions to elicit concessions from the Iranian side is quite inefficient, only triggering stronger rhetoric from Iran and intensifying tensions.

To put the talks on the right track, the West, instead of threatening fresh sanctions, should consider the removal of previous sanctions following serious efforts by Iran to prove its nuclear program is of a peaceful nature.

In a separate endeavor to consolidate the relaxing mood surrounding the Persian state's nuclear program, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Yukiya Amano met with Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili in Tehran on Monday.

Amano was quoted by Iranian media as saying discussions during the meeting "will have a positive impact" on the upcoming talks in Baghdad.

With many looking forward to the start of a "substantial process of negotiations" in Baghdad, the U.S. Senate bill seems inopportune, and the U.S. lawmakers should consider possible negative ramifications of such legislation.

It's also highly advisable for all concerned parties to take concrete measures to enhance mutual trust and meanwhile show more willingness to bridge their differences so as to bring about an early solution to the decade-long Iranian nuclear issue.