CIA Director George Tenet has told a Senate intelligence committee that the al Qaeda network has established a presence in Iran.
"We see disturbing signs that al Qaeda has established a presence in both Iran and Iraq," Tenet said at a worldwide threat hearing.
"In addition we are concerned that al Qaeda continues to find refuge in the hinterlands of Afghanistan and Pakistan."
The United States blames al Qaeda for the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon that killed some 3,000 people.
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Both Iraq and Iran have denied any ties with Al Qaeda or its leader, Osama bin Laden.