WASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), a senior member of the Armed Services Committee, released the following statement in response to Republican presidential primary candidate Mitt Romney’s misguided assertion that Iran will be able to develop nuclear weapons only if President Obama is re-elected:

“Mitt Romney’s overheated commentary about Iran’s nuclear weapons program runs counter to the assessments of our military leaders and the intelligence community.

“The threat of a nuclear-armed Iran is one of the most pressing national security issues facing our nation and our close ally Israel.  The truth is, President Obama, with bipartisan support from Congress, is committed to preventing Iran from achieving a nuclear weapons capacity and he is using all of the tools of American power -- political, economic, and military -- to do so. 

“Moreover, he has assembled an unprecedented international coalition to confront the Iranian challenge.

“Distorting the President’s position and needlessly dividing Americans on a critical national security question may score political points with some, but it doesn’t serve the national interest.”