Mohamed El-Baradei, who served as the director of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) from 1997 to 2009, urged Gulf nations to act decisively to prevent U.S. President Donald Trump from escalating tensions in the Middle East. El-Baradei described Trump as a 'madman' who could turn the region into 'a ball of fire' following Trump's recent threats to Iran. The former IAEA chief's comments came after Trump issued an ultimatum, stating that Iran must negotiate a deal or face severe consequences, including the reopening of the vital Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has blocked amid rising tensions. El-Baradei expressed frustration over the lack of international action to curb what he termed 'madness,' tagging various global leaders and organizations in his plea for intervention. He is notably recognized for his leadership during the early controversies surrounding Iran's nuclear program and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005 for promoting peaceful nuclear energy.