Iran ? A day after Iran offered a detained American woman a chance for release on $500,000 bail, her family countered with a request Monday to drop or lower the sum because they are struggling to raise the cash.

The appeal — delivered by Swiss diplomats, who handle U.S. affairs in Iran — was another potential snag in a process already complicated by political feuds among Iran’s leadership and questions over how a payment could be made for Sarah Shourd’s freedom without violating international sanctions.

There’s been no immediate word from Iranian authorities on the bid by Shourd’s family to drop or reduce her bail, said her attorney, Masoud Shafiei. But it comes as powerful voices within Iran challenge the decision to grant bail to the reportedly ailing Shourd, who was detained along the Iraq border in July 2009 with two American friends who are also jailed and face spy charges.

The Revolutionary Guard — the country’s military and economic powerhouse — used its allies in the Fars news agency to issue a sharply worded commentary decrying the move as a slap against Iran’s security and intelligence services. A lawmaker, Ahmad Tavakkoli, called the possible release a “bonus for Quran burners” in a clear reference to anti-Muslim factions in the United States.