According to Reuters, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said in Shanghai earlier Friday the nuclear package was a "step forward" and his government was seriously considering it.

"I find it encouraging," Bodman said of Ahmadinejad's remarks.

The Iranian president did not say when Tehran would officially respond to the package.

"I would expect a timely response to what their views are and I hope they will be forthcoming," Bodman told reporters following a speech to the National Academies.

Bodman said he did not know "the specifics" of any timetable the Bush administration might have for Iran to respond to the West's package.