Obama, Congress at odds over Iran sanctions relief

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif briefs the media after the two days of closed-door nuclear talks, during a press conference at the CICG, in Geneva, Switzerland, Wednesday, Oct.16, 2013. (AP Photo/Keystone, Martial Trezzini)

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif briefs the media after the two days of closed-door nuclear talks, during a press conference at the CICG, in Geneva, Switzerland, Wednesday, Oct.16, 2013. (AP Photo/Keystone, Martial Trezzini)

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton smiles during a press conference after two days of closed-door nuclear talks on Iran in Geneva, Switzerland, Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2013. Talks between Iran and six world powers have ended an upbeat note, with the European Union's top diplomat Ashton calling them "very important," in efforts to end international tensions over Tehran's nuclear program. (AP Photo/Keystone, Martial Trezzini)

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration is considering helping Iran recoup billions of dollars in frozen overseas assets if Tehran scales back its nuclear program.

But Congress is determined to set a high bar for any relief for Iran.

Officials say the proposal is under consideration to spur nuclear negotiations.

A skeptical Congress is weighing in, too.

Illinois Sen. Mark Kirk has a plan to give the U.S. more sticks and carrots.

He wants to freeze all remaining Iranian assets overseas. He'd do that by threatening to block from the U.S. market any bank that does business with Iran.

Kirk would let Iran get at some of the $50 billion to $75 billion that's already blocked.

But Iran would only get the money after ending all uranium enrichment activity.

Iran rejects such demands.

Associated PressSource: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/89ae8247abe8493fae24405546e9a1aa/Article_2013-10-18-US-United-States-Iran/id-bc37543676d04f3ab856b29927cc05c8
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