Mossad Director Yossi Cohen
Photo: Alex Kolomoisky
Mossad chief: We have eyes, ears and more in Iran
Addressing the anti-regime protests in Iran, Yossi Cohen says: 'We need not be too expectant, although I would be glad to see a significant revolution.'
Mossad Director Yossi Cohen said in rare comment Tuesday, "We have eyes, ears and more than that in Iran."
Speaking at a Finance Ministry conference in Jerusalem, Cohen added that despite the fact that the Iranian economy was doing well since the nuclear agreement, this did not mean it affected the lives of Iranian citizens who have been protesting on the streets.
Cohen. 'There are dramatic changes in the American understanding of the strategic threats' (צילום: אלכס קולומויסקי)
"We need not be too expectant, although I would be glad to see a significant revolution," he said.
"Citizens there are crying out in light of their disappointing economic situation," he said, as they had expected President Hassan Rouhani to improve the economic situation of both the individual and the society.
"They are faced by forces that making a massive effort, without protecting human rights, to act against anyone who tries to raise his head in Iran. We experienced it in the green revolution that died down. There were many casualties."
He said the nuclear agreement, which he defined as "a bad agreement which shouldn’t have been signed," improved Iran's economic situation.
"The economy had reached a low point due to the harsh sanctions. From an inferior economy, it has become a thriving economy. This doesn’t necessarily serve the citizen, which is why they have taken to the streets."
Anti-regime protests in Iran (Photo: Twitter)
Addressing recent developments in the region, the Mossad chief said "a newly created aerial and land corridor is spilling Shiite fighters of different kinds into the Middle East. Together with the Shiites on our northern border, highly alarming small coalitions have been created."
He also referred to the concerns voiced by leaders in the Sunni world about an Iranian expansion and the arming of Shiite organizations with precision-guided weapons.
Cohen further added that "there are dramatic changes in the American understanding of the strategic threats and the concern for world peace due to the dramatic aspirations in Iran, and its willingness and desire to use forces and terror. This change acts in our favor."
The Mossad chief concluded by saying he was working to promote equal opportunity, especially gender-related, in the organization.
