Russia and China want more time for diplomacy over Iran

EUROPE and the United States are struggling to get Russia and China on board to crack down on Iran at a UN meeting next month as Israel said it would not tolerate nuclear capability for Iran.

While some move by the International Atomic Energy Agency seems certain when the UN watchdog meets on February 2, it is unclear how much of a deadline it will be for Iran.

A diplomat close to the IAEA said key Iranian trade partner Russia wanted to split the action, “with a nominal referral in February but giving Iran one month to deliver on demands to suspend nuclear fuel work and to co-operate” with IAEA inspections.