According to the Post report, the intercepted calls have not produced any evidence of outrageous conduct by ElBaradei, according to three officials who have been talking to the paper.

The intercepts reportedly show that ElBaradei tried to help Iran weather a diplomatic crisis over its nuclear programs.

"Some people think he sounds way too soft on the Iranians, but that's about it," said one official to the Post.

The IAEA – the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog agency – coordinates nuclear safety around the world and monitors materials that could be diverted for weapons use.

The National Security Agency, which is responsible for collecting and decoding electronic communications for the U.S. government, had no information to provide on the ElBaradei intercepts, and the CIA refused to comment.

Many of the countries that sit on the IAEA board have asked ElBaradei to stay for a third term beginning next summer.

To block that third term, Washington would need to convince more than one-third of the IAEA's 35-member board to vote against his reappointment.

Britain and other allies, however, appear to be reluctant to join a fight they believe is motivated by a desire by the Bush administration to pay back ElBaradei for his "October Surprise." Ten days before the presidential election, ElBaradei questioned why hundreds of tons of explosives missing were from the Al Qa'qaa weapons facility in Iraq.

Adding to Washington's problems, there is at present no clear candidate to replaced ElBaradei should he be retired.

Editor's note: