Minister Ya'alon: There will be revolution in Iran

Minister for Strategic Affairs Moshe Ya'alon said Iranian reformist presidential candidate Mir-Hossein Mousavi has brought about a new spirit of openness, and he believes this will lead to a revolution in the Islamic Republic.

The former IDF chief of staff added, however, that the new atmosphere and wave of protest is unlikely to influence the Iranian nuclear program.

"Ever since I was head of the Military Intelligence I have said, and I say it now as well, that some 70% of the Iranians oppose the ayatollah regime," he said. "Mousavi and his wife have brought about a new spirit of openness, therefore, I repeat: There will be a revolution in Iran.

"It will be impossible to contain the energy there is now, I believe the Iranian regime will have to take this into consideration. While this will have no effect on the nuclear issue, this regime will fall. What is happening now is a very encouraging sign for the West…This is the conflict between Jihadism and the West."

Regarding the nuclear issue, the strategic affairs minister said he supports US President Barack Obama's address to the fragmented bodies in Tehran, but"it is important to understand that we cannot just hold dialogue.

"There must be a sprout of change alongside the dialogue. This is also what the Sunni Muslims are telling the Americans, 'Be careful not to hold talks with Iran at our expense'. I still cannot see the sprout, and if there is not sprout, then the dialogue will be a waste and will work against us."

Ya'alon also expressed pessimism regarding negotiations with the Palestinians, saying, "It turns our that no Palestinian leadership has risen that is willing to recognize the Jewish people's rights for a national home....I urge (Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas) to prove that he is capable of controlling the Palestinians."