'Stop This Madness': Ex-IAEA Chief Urges UN, Gulf Leaders To Act On Trump's 48-Hour Hormuz Warning

Last Updated:April 05, 2026, 08:12 IST

Former IAEA chief has urged Gulf nations to intervene diplomatically after Trump issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Iran over the Strait of Hormuz.

Former International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Mohamed ElBaradei has urged Gulf nations to intervene diplomatically after US President Donald Trump issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Iran, warning of severe consequences if a deal is not reached.

Expressing alarm over rapidly escalating tensions, ElBaradei took to X to call on regional powers to prevent further deterioration of the situation.

Writing in Arabic, the former UN nuclear watchdog chief appealed directly to Gulf leaders to take urgent diplomatic action.

“Please, once again, do everything in your power before this madman turns the region into a ball of fire," ElBaradei said in his post, highlighting fears of a broader regional conflict.

In another message written in English and addressed to the United Nations, ElBaradei questioned whether international institutions could intervene to prevent an all-out war, asking if “nothing can be done to stop this madness?"

TRUMP ISSUES 48-HOUR DEADLINE OVER STRAIT OF HORMUZ

The appeal comes amid heightened tensions following Trump’s warning that Iran has 48 hours to reach a peace agreement or reopen the strategically significant Strait of Hormuz.

Trump reiterated the ultimatum on his Truth Social platform, reminding Tehran of a previous 10-day deadline and warning of severe consequences if the demands are not met.

“Remember when I gave Iran ten days to MAKE A DEAL or OPEN UP THE HORMUZ STRAIT. Time is running out–48 hours before all hell will rain down on them. Glory be to GOD! President DONALD J. TRUMP," the US President wrote.

The warning represents a shift from March 26, when Trump announced a pause on strikes targeting Iranian energy infrastructure until April 6, 2026, stating that negotiations were progressing positively.

At the time, he said the extension followed a request from the Iranian government and emphasised that talks were ongoing despite reports suggesting otherwise.

Trump had earlier directed the US Department of War to delay military action against Iranian power plants to allow space for diplomatic negotiations after issuing an earlier 48-hour deadline.

ONGOING WAR HEIGHTENS GLOBAL CONCERNS

The latest developments come amid continued hostilities in a conflict that began with joint US-Israel strikes on February 28 and has now entered its sixth week.

Trump has described Iran as “beaten and completely decimated," though recent developments indicate the situation remains volatile.

Iran shot down two US warplanes on Friday, including one identified by Iranian authorities as an F-15E Strike Eagle.

A search operation is ongoing for a missing US pilot in a mountainous region in Iran’s southwestern Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province.

The Pentagon confirmed it had received notification of an aircraft being shot down, stating that one crew member had been rescued while the status of another remains unknown, according to AP.

Iran’s joint military command also claimed that two US Black Hawk helicopters were struck, though AP noted that this could not be independently verified.

THREATS AGAINST INFRASTRUCTURE RAISE STAKES

Iranian officials have responded strongly to the US ultimatum.

General Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi warned that “the doors of hell will be opened" if Iranian infrastructure is targeted, threatening retaliation against US military installations across the region.

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that Israeli forces struck a petrochemical complex in Mahshahr that he said helps fund the war effort.

Iranian state media reported that the strike killed five people and injured 170 others, according to AP.

The Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran said an airstrike also hit near the Bushehr nuclear facility, killing a security guard and damaging a support building.

Russia’s state nuclear corporation Rosatom stated that 198 workers were being evacuated from the site after repeated strikes, AP reported.

In the Gulf region, debris from an aerial interception caused damage to the Dubai headquarters of US technology firm Oracle, though no injuries were reported.

DIPLOMATIC CHANNELS REMAIN ACTIVE

Despite escalating rhetoric, diplomatic efforts are ongoing.

Iran’s parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, also issued a warning regarding potential disruption to shipping routes through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a key global trade corridor connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean, AP reported.

The conflict has already resulted in thousands of casualties, disrupted shipping routes, and impacted global fuel prices, raising fears of further escalation if diplomatic efforts fail.

News world 'Stop This Madness': Ex-IAEA Chief Urges UN, Gulf Leaders To Act On Trump's 48-Hour Hormuz Warning

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