Prior to giving the nod, President George Bush and Pentagon officials sought -- and were given -- evidence that North Korea had supplied nuclear material to Syria, The Times said.

The newspaper cited sources in Washington and Jerusalem alleging Israeli commandos seized some of the material before its air force bombed the containment site in Syria Sept. 6. A number of North Koreans were reportedly killed in the attack.

Syrian officials flew to North Korea last week, reinforcing speculation the nations are coordinating a response, The Times reported.

The nuclear transaction has sparked fears that Syria is joining North Korea and Iran in the development of nuclear weapons.