ElBaradei’s jab at Germany: Attacks on nuclear sites are prohibited

Mohamed ElBaradei, former Director-General of the IAEA, responded to statements by German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, emphasizing that attacks on nuclear facilities are “prohibited” under Article 56 of the Additional Protocol to the Geneva Conventions.

ElBaradei, who led the IAEA from 1997 to 2009, made these remarks after the German Foreign Minister wrote in a post on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter): “Israel has carried out targeted attacks against Iran’s nuclear facilities.”

In response, ElBaradei wrote on his X account:

“Has anyone told you, Mr. Minister, that ‘targeted attacks on nuclear facilities’ are prohibited under Article 56 of the Additional Protocol to the Geneva Conventions — which Germany is also a signatory to? And that the use of force in international relations is generally prohibited under Article 2(4) of the UN Charter, except in cases of self-defense against an armed attack or with the authorization of the Security Council within the framework of collective security measures?
It might not hurt to take another look at the basic principles of international law…”