ElBaradei says tougher sanctions on Iran ineffective
Tehran Times Political Desk

TEHRAN – International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Mohamed ElBaradei has dismissed tougher sanctions against Iran as ineffective.

In an interview with the London-based Azzaman newspaper published on Saturday, ElBaradei said, “In my opinion new sanctions will not resolve Iran’s nuclear dispute.”

He went on to say that a military attack against Iran is the worst alternative to end the standoff between Iran and the West.

Britain, France, Germany and the United States are considering imposing additional sanctions on Iran for refusing to halt its nuclear enrichment work.

The UN Security Council has so far imposed three rounds of sanctions on the Islamic Republic.

The six world powers last month offered Tehran an enhanced package of incentives in return for a halt in its uranium enrichment activities.

Iran, however, has rejected suspension of its atomic program as a precondition for talks with the major powers, insisting that as a signatory to the NPT it has the right to access nuclear technology for civilian uses.

ElBaradei said although Israel has definitely stockpiled nuclear warheads, the IAEA cannot inspect the regime’s nuclear installations because it has not signed the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

“During my stay in Israel I held some negotiations with Israeli leaders on this matter and came to the conclusion that Israel will never abandon its nuclear program,” he lamented

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