Senate Majority Leader Reid on NIE on Iran's nuclear program

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid issued the following statement on the National Intelligence Estimate's analysis of Iran's nuclear program:

“Today this nation’s senior intelligence analysts concluded that Iran halted its nuclear weapons program in 2003, directly challenging some of this Administration’s alarming rhetoric about the threat posed by Iran.  Democratic Committee leaders and I requested this assessment early last year so that the Administration could not rush this Congress and the country to another war based on flawed intelligence.  I am very glad that the Administration has finally provided the NIE and I will examine carefully the full classified version in coming days.

“I hope this Administration reads this report carefully and appropriately adjusts its rhetoric and policy vis-à-vis Iran.  The Administration should begin this process by finally undertaking a diplomatic surge necessary to effectively address the challenges posed by Iran.  President Reagan had the wisdom to conduct diplomacy with America’s adversaries in order to advance U.S. interests.  President Bush should follow Reagan’s example.”

UPDATE: President Bush's response (from the Washington Post): President Bush said Tuesday that the international community should continue to pressure Iran on its nuclear programs, asserting Tehran remains dangerous despite a new intelligence conclusion that it halted its development of a nuclear bomb four years ago.

"I view this report as a warning signal that they had the program, they halted the program," Bush said. "The reason why it's a warning signal is they could restart it."