Russia is considering backing a six-month extension for its ally Iran in order to prevent sweeping United Nations sanctions from being reimposed over Tehran’s refusal to allow UN inspectors back into nuclear sites.
The deadline for the extension was raised by Western officials, who plan to wait until the end of August to determine if Iran is serious about further negotiations. However, a six-month extension would only be considered on the condition that Iran shows seriousness about talks with the US.
Senior officials from Iran and Europe’s top three powers met in Geneva to discuss the western demand. Russia has circulated a draft resolution at the UN headquarters in New York making the six-month deadline extendable. This move could potentially secure Russian backing for the extension, as Moscow will assume the month-long presidency of the UN security council in September.
The European Union’s threat to trigger a “snapback” of sanctions at the end of August depends on Iran meeting specific conditions, including resuming inspections and accounting for its highly enriched uranium stockpile. The Iranian supreme leader has ruled out direct talks with Washington, but left open the possibility of talks through a mediator from Oman or Norway.
The US claims that Iran’s nuclear programme has been obliterated, while Tehran admits to enriching uranium to up to 60% purity in response to US sanctions. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has reopened talks with Iranian officials on resuming inspections, and the Geneva meeting will focus on whether Iran is prepared to meet its duties under the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/26/iran-nuclear-sanctions-delay-russia