The chief U.N. nuclear inspector has urged caution against prematurely judging Syria’s atomic program by reminding diplomats about false U.S. claims that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction.

Mohamed ElBaradei made the remarks Monday while speaking to diplomats on the International Atomic Energy Agency’s board. His comments at the closed meeting were made available to The Associated Press on Tuesday.

At issue is whether the agency should give Damascus potentially sensitive nuclear guidance at a time when Syria is being investigated for alleged secret atomic activities.

ElBaradei did not mention the United States by name. But the claims were used by the U.S. as the rationale for going to war with Iraq.