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Nobel Prize Winner: Iran Deal Makes Sense

Michael Hill
/
WGLT

The main focus of a visit to Bloomington/Normal by Nobel Prize Winner Mohamed ElBaradei surrounds the idea of "Preventing a Nuclear Nightmare." He won the 2005 Nobel Prize for his efforts in preventing military use of nuclear energy, and supports a potential nuclear deal between the United States and Iran.

ElBaradei says the Iran deal makes sense.

ElBaradei says the threat of Iran building nuclear weapons is minimal.

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"I think Iran would be crazy to develop a nuclear weapon. First, under the deal, you know, there is no way Iran can develop nuclear weapon at least in the next ten years. And hopefully, in the next ten years, you would build a different regional security system."

ElBaradei also talks about how the international community could work to decrease income inequality and world poverty. He says defense spending could be diverted to help poverty-stricken countries.

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"We continue to spend $1.7 trillion on armament per year. Imagine if we spent even half of that, you know, a quarter of that, on poverty alleviation."

ElBaradei spoke at Illinois State and Illinois Wesleyan Universities as part of the annual Adlai E. Stevenson Memorial Lecture. He served for a time as Egyptian Vice President following the 2011 Arab Spring.

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