Diplomats of Australia, the United States and Japan on Saturday discussed Iran's nuclear program, about which they said they have "grave concerns."

Visiting U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, her Australian and Japanese counterparts Alexander Downer and Taro Asoended their first ever ministerial security meeting at a military base in the east of Sydney, Australia's largest city.

Rice will leave Australia later in the day after a three-day official visit, which is her first as U.S. chief diplomat.

In a joint statement issued at the end of the meeting, the three foreign ministers said "We have grave concerns about Iran's nuclear program and discussed the need for concerted action at the UN Security Council to convince Iran to promptly suspend all enrichment-related activities, fully cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), return to negotiations and take all steps called for by the IAEA board."

The communique also covered some other international issues, saying the three countries had a "common cause in working to maintain stability and security" particularly in the Asia-Pacific region.