Iran may be just a few years away from developing nuclear weapons capability, contributing to a sense of urgency on the need for a more assertive policy toward that strategically placed country, U.S. officials say. The Bush administration's concern over a variety of Iranian weapons programs has been coupled with what it says is an expanded Iranian role in support of regional and global terrorist groups.

CIA Director George Tenet told a Senate hearing last Wednesday that Iran may be able by itself to produce enough fissile material for a nuclear weapon by late this decade.
But he went on to say this estimate could be cut by years if Iran is able to obtain materials from outside sources.

A CIA report issued a week earlier said Iran "remains one of the most active countries seeking to acquire (weapons of mass destruction and advanced conventional weapons) technology from abroad." Bureau Report