![](\"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/images\/stories\/2013\/places\/senate.jpg\")
WASHINGTON (AP) \u2014 Demands in Congress grew Wednesday for a speedy escalation of sanctions against Iran as two days of nuclear talks ended in Geneva, setting up a potential foreign policy clash with the Obama administration while it seeks a diplomatic end to the standoff with Tehran.<\/p>\n
Even as negotiations between world powers and Iran ended on an upbeat note, with a new round of discussions set for November, lawmakers seeking to end a government shutdown back in Washington quickly expressed their skepticism and laid out red lines for the talks. Members of both parties have overwhelmingly backed tougher economic pressure on Iran in recent years amid concern it is closing in on nuclear weapons capability.
\u201cGiven Iran\u2019s continued refusal to halt its illicit nuclear and ballistic missile programs, the Senate should immediately move forward with a new round of economic sanctions targeting all remaining Iranian government revenue and reserves,\u201d said Sen. Mark Kirk of Illinois, who has played a leading role in drafting sanctions.
With talks in the Swiss city barely over, Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida introduced a Senate resolution calling for more pressure.
\u201cNo one should be impressed by what Iran appears to have brought to the table in Geneva,\u201d Rubio said. \u201cTehran has broken its word far too many times to be trusted. Due to its complete disregard for previous international agreements, we must take a firm stand in all negotiations regarding the nuclear capabilities Iran is permitted to retain.\u201d
He echoed a statement by six Democratic and four Republican senators on Tuesday, insisting Iran end all uranium enrichment activity.
That demand could put them at odds with President Barack Obama, who recently recognized Iran\u2019s right to nuclear energy after his historic phone conversation with Iran\u2019s new and more moderate President Hasan Rouhani. Obama, however, hasn\u2019t said enrichment is acceptable in Iran, as Tehran demands. The issue remains a key one for international negotiators to resolve.
The United States and other world powers fear Iran is trying to develop nuclear weapons. The Islamic republic says its program is for peaceful energy production, and this week\u2019s meetings in part focused on how to scale back its enrichment of material that can be used to generate power or nuclear warhead material.
The debate over increasing sanctions is quickly emerging as a standoff between Congress and the administration.
The Senate Banking Committee is expected to draft new sanctions shortly after the government reopens, largely mirroring a House bill that passed overwhelmingly by a 400-20 vote in July and blacklisted Iran\u2019s mining and construction sectors. It also called for all Iranian oil sales to end by 2015.
The Senate\u2019s bill may narrow that timeframe, block international investment in more economic sectors, try to close off Iran\u2019s foreign accounts and tighten Obama\u2019s ability to waive requirements for allies and key trading partners who continue to do business with Iran, according to an aide involved in the process. The aide wasn\u2019t authorized to speak publicly on the matter and demanded anonymity.
Concerning petroleum alone, China, Turkey, India and several other Asian countries continue to buy billions of dollars of fuel from Iran each month.<\/p>\n
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