A former director of the United Nations nuclear watchdog, Mohamed ElBaradei, has urged Gulf countries to step in and prevent further escalation between the United States and Iran, warning that the region risks being turned into “a ball of fire.”
His remarks come in response to recent threats issued by Donald Trump against Iran, as tensions continue to rise.
ElBaradei, who led the International Atomic Energy Agency from 1997 to 2009, questioned the global response to the crisis in a series of online posts. He tagged the United Nations, the European Union, as well as Emmanuel Macron, alongside Chinese and Russian foreign ministries.
“Nothing can be done to stop this madness?” he asked.
Trump had earlier warned that Iran must either return to negotiations or reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz, which has reportedly been blocked since the conflict involving the US and Israel escalated earlier this year.
“Time is running out – 48 hours before all hell will break loose,” Trump said, escalating fears of a wider confrontation.
ElBaradei, an 83-year-old former Egyptian vice president, was at the forefront of global nuclear diplomacy during the early controversies surrounding Iran’s nuclear programme. He and the IAEA were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005 for their efforts to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy.
His latest warning adds to growing international concern over the potential fallout of a prolonged conflict in the Middle East.
