Iran could achieve nuclear capability this year

Iran has acquired sufficient technology and equipment to produce nuclear weapons, a report said.

A report published by the U.S. Army War College asserted that Iran hasvirtually completed the nuclear fuel cycle and was ready to assemble weapons. The report, financed by the Defense Department, said Iran could reach nuclear weapons capability as early as 2006.

"The truth is that Iran soon can and will get a bomb option," the report, entitled "Getting Ready for a Nuclear-Ready Iran," said. "All Iranian engineers need is a bit more time: 1 to 4 years at most."

The report, released in late 2005, differed significantly from CIA and State Department estimates on Iran's nuclear program. The U.S. intelligence community has assessed that Iran would need another decade to produce nuclear weapons.