There is no evidence that Iran is actively building nuclear
weapons, said Mohamed ElBaradei, head of the International Atomic
Energy Agency (IAEA), in an interview with CNN on Sunday.
"I have not received any information that there is a concrete
active nuclear program going on right now," ElBaradei said.
"My fear is that if we continue to escalate from both sides that
we will end up into a precipice, we will end up into an abyss," he
said.
The IAEA chief said he will continue to work through "creative
diplomacy" to try to resolve Iran's nuclear issue. "I do not see
any other solution than diplomacy and inspections," he said.
ElBaradei made the remarks after senior Bush administration
officials, including President George W. Bush and Vice President
Dick Cheney, had attacked Iran in sharply tougher rhetoric
recently.
Moreover, the US imposed sweeping sanctions on Iran on Thursday
to keep pressure on Teheran.
Washington has accused Iran of trying to develop nuclear weapons
under the cover of a civilian nuclear program. Iran has denied US
charges and insisted that its nuclear program is for peaceful
purposes only.
(Xinhua News Agency October 29, 2007)
