“We were in fact on the verge of a solution on several occasions. The Iranians were willing in 2003, but the administration of then U.S. President George W. Bush was not,” former director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) made the remark during an interview with the German weekly Der Spiegel on Tuesday.

ElBaradei stated the West never tried to understand the fact that Iran wanted recognition as an equal partner.

ElBaradei called the United States and EU’s reluctance as the main problem in solving Iran’s nuclear issue.

“I adhere strictly to the facts, and part of that is that the Americans and the Europeans withheld important documents and information from us. They weren't interested in a compromise with the government in Tehran, but regime change -- by any means necessary,” Egyptian Nobel Peace Prize winner stated.

Commenting on the U.S.-EU hypocrisy during the nuclear negotiations, ElBaradei said, “…They engaged in trickery. The West never tried to understand that the most important thing for Iran was getting recognition and being treated as an equal.”

Commenting on the trial of deposed Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak ElBaradei said, “The military council in Egypt has no other option than to try Mubarak and bring everyone else to justice who is responsible for human rights violations or corruption. If the president had resigned right away, at the beginning of the revolution, as I advised him to, he would have preserved the chance of a dignified departure.”

“It's outrageous. First the military leadership gives him enough time to move his money, and then he's allowed to claim poverty. Giving Mubarak the opportunity to make this statement was a serious mistake. This self-righteous portrayal, this insistence of not having a fortune, these clumsy attempts to clear his name -- this is what fuelled the protests once again.”