WANA (Apr 04) – Former International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Mohamed ElBaradei said that those who believe Iran can be forced into submission lack an understanding of the country’s culture and societal beliefs.

 

In a post on the social media platform X, ElBaradei, who led the IAEA from 1997 to 2009, wrote that he had years of experience interacting with numerous Iranian officials.

 

“When you believe overwhelming force can bend knees and assassinations can lead to surrender, you are unfortunately unaware of the culture and beliefs of the people,” he stated.

 

In a separate post, ElBaradei also addressed a reported assassination attempt against Kamal Kharrazi, head of Iran’s Strategic Council on Foreign Relations, which resulted in the death of his wife.

 

He described the incident as further evidence of what he called “warmongering behavior,” adding that such actors are not interested in peace but instead pursue what he termed an “illusory hegemony.”