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.