WASHINGTON/MUNICH (AFP/Reuters) - The threat of a nuclear-armed Iran is real for the United States but Al-Qaeda poses an even greater danger, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Sunday. In terms of a country, obviously a nuclear-armed country like North Korea or Iran pose both a real or a potential threat, Hillary told CNNs State of the Union, making it clear the Iranians do not yet possess an atomic weapon. But I think that most of us believe the greater threats are the transnational non-state networks, she said, referring to Al-Qaeda and its affiliates in Afghanistan, North Africa, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Yemen. Hillary voiced concerns about Al-Qaedas level of connectivity and said Osama bin Ladens networks were continuing to increase the sophistication of their capacity and the kind of attacks they were planning. The US city of Detroit had a narrow escape on Christmas Day when a young Nigerian claiming allegiance to Al-Qaeda, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, botched an attempt to bring down a packed transatlantic airliner as it began its descent. The biggest nightmare that any of us have is that one of these terrorist member organisations within this syndicate of terror will get their hands on a weapon of mass destruction, Hillary said. She said that Al-Qaeda has grown more creative and flexible since 2001. I dont see them as stronger, said Hillary. I see that they are more creative, more flexible, more agile. They evolve. Asked whether she is convinced Iran has nuclear arms, Hillary hastened to clarify her comment. No. No. No, she said. But - but we - we believe that their behaviour certainly is evidence of their intentions. And how close they are - may be subject to some debate. Addressing a news conference with Italian Defence Minister Ignazio La Russa in Rome on Sunday, US Defence Secretary Robert Gates urged the international community to work together to bring pressure on the Iranian government rather than its people to curb Tehrans nuclear ambitions. If the international community will stand together and bring pressure to bear on the Iranian government, I believe there is still time for sanctions and pressure to work, he added. But we must all work together. On Afghanistan, Gates said he was confident Nato allies would be able to fill the shortfall of trainers and mentors needed in that country by reshuffling rather than expanding their existing troop commitments. The key, it seems to me, is not necessarily more troops in addition to the 10,000, but rather to ensure that among those 10,000 are as many trainers and mentors as we possibly can get, he said. Gates singled out Italy for praise for committing another 1,000 troops, the most of any ally since Obamas December announcement.