Russia, China may force EU and US retreat on Iran-diplomats

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VIENNA (Reuters) - The EU's three biggest powers are considering backing down from a demand that the U.N. nuclear watchdog report Iran to the U.N. Security Council due to fierce opposition from Russia and China, diplomats said on Wednesday.

Both Russia and China have warned the United States, France, Britain and Germany against escalating the nuclear standoff with Iran, potentially blocking their drive to haul Tehran before the U.N.'s highest body for possible sanctions.

The European Union has circulated a U.S.-backed draft resolution calling on the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) governing board to report Iran's secretive nuclear programme to the Security Council.

But with nearly 15 of the 35 members of the IAEA's governing board opposed to the EU draft resolution -- including China and Russia -- the EU is considering dropping its key demand from the current draft resolution to satisfy opponents.