Saeed Jalili, Iran's chief negotiator, met Sergei Ryabkov, the Russian deputy foreign minister, at the outset of the second and final day of talks. As the host of the meeting in Moscow, Russia has a particular interest in avoiding outright failure.  The talks are effectively deadlocked over who would make the first move – Iran by halting enrichment to 20 per cent purity, or the "P5 plus 1" by easing sanctions. A range of Iranian politicians has insisted that their country's right to enrich uranium – the key point at issue – must be respected as a precondition for any agreement.  On Tuesday, Ala'eddin Borujerdi, head of the foreign policy committee of Iran's parliament, told an official news agency this was a "red line" and Tehran would not "forego" enrichment. Last week, parliament passed a motion to this effect. However, six United Nations resolutions urge Iran to freeze enrichment, which could be used to make the essential material for nuclear weapons.  Diplomats were understood to be working on a formula on Tuesday that would prevent the Moscow talks from being declared a total failure. Experts from both sides could be instructed to meet to review the "P5 plus 1" proposal and Mr Jalili's five-point response. Their conclusions might then be considered at another round of negotiations, with China or perhaps Kazakhstan playing host.  The talks were continuing for longer than expected on Tuesday, with a series of bilateral meetings being followed by an extended plenary session.  A formal conclusion is expected later on Tuesday night.
Russia was trying to prevent negotiations between Iran and the world's six leading powers from collapsing on Tuesday as the two sides searched for a possible compromise.