A Threat to Global Peace: UN's ElBaradei Speaks of 'Historic Turning Point' in Nuclear Policies

Mohamed ElBaradei, the United Nations' chief nuclear inspector, believes there is a growing threat to global peace through the build-up of nuclear arms and the increasing penchant of counties to bomb suspected nuclear facilities. "With unilateral military actions, countries are undermining international agreements, and we are at a historic turning point," ElBaradei told SPIEGEL, referring to the recent Israel bombardment of Syria's Al Kibar complex in September and the threat made by Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Shaul Mofaz to attack Iran if the country "continues with its program to develop a nuclear bomb."

Nobel Peace Prize winner Elbaradei also attacks Tehran's leadership in the interview. "The readiness on Iran's side to cooperate leaves a lot to be desired," he said. "We have pressing questions." Iran's leadership, he said, is sending "a message to the entire world: We can build a bomb in relatively short time." But the general director of the International Atomic Energy Agency also said he expected "absolute transparency" from Syria. During in inspection trip from June 22-24, he said an IAEA delegation would demand visits to a number of locations that may have delivered components to the destroyed facility.

The full interview will be published on SPIEGEL ONLINE on Tuesday.