Russia could back delay to ‘snapback’ of nuclear sanctions against Iran

Moscow willing to support six-month extension of deadline before punishments are reimposed, reports suggest

Russia and Iran could back an extended six-month deadline before European powers reimpose sweeping United Nations sanctions on Iran over its refusal to allow UN inspectors back into nuclear sites after the Israeli-US assault in June.

France, Britain and Germany – known as the E3 – have long threatened to trigger a “snapback” of sanctions at the UN security council before 18 October, when a largely defunct nuclear deal struck 10 years ago between Tehran and major powers expires.

Senior officials from Iran and Europe’s top three powers are due to meet in Geneva on Tuesday to discuss the western demand.

Western officials have said they would wait until the end of August to decide whether Iran was serious about further negotiations, with a six-month extension only on the condition that Iran showed seriousness about the talks with the US.