In Beirut.. Iranian Ambassador's Statements Reveal Serious Security Breaches
Recent statements by the Iranian ambassador highlight an intertwined communications network between Tehran and Hezbollah, raising questions about the limits of diplomatic work
November 17, 2024, 6:33 pm

In Beirut.. Iranian Ambassador's Statements Reveal Serious Security Breaches

تفجير أجهزة البيجر \ متداولة

The first official appearance of Iranian Ambassador to Beirut Mojtaba Amani, following his injury in the pager explosions that struck multiple areas in Lebanon last September, recalled memories of the exceptional Israeli attack.

Roland Abi Najm, an expert in digital transformation and information security, revealed that the ambassador's disclosure about receiving a call from Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah immediately after the attack indicates the extension of Hezbollah's ground and wire communications system inside the Iranian diplomatic headquarters.

Abi Najm noted in a post on "X" platform that the Iranian diplomat's statement about the call with the former Secretary-General of the party proves the use of the organization's ground network.

The expert highlighted the significant breach of the party's wireless system, especially since Nasrallah's elimination on September 28 came just days after the pager explosions that were carried out on the 17th of the same month.

Abi Najm expressed surprise at the Iranian embassy and its diplomatic representative's connection to the party's security communications system and their possession of the same equipment used by the organization's security leadership.

The Iranian ambassador had previously detailed the incident in a radio interview, noting that he was notified of Nasrallah's call checking on his health condition after the injury, expressing his emotional response to this gesture.

Many questions surrounded the simultaneous pager explosions in multiple Lebanese areas in mid-September, especially with the unclear identity of the company that provided Hezbollah with five thousand devices, while analyses suggested Israel executed a precise intelligence plan.

The explosions, which Tel Aviv later claimed responsibility for, left about four thousand wounded and numerous dead, including Hezbollah members. This security breach shocked the party, especially with the subsequent explosions targeting radio devices the following day.

Lebanese informed sources had previously noted in July that Hezbollah began using codes through messages, landlines, and pagers, seeking to avoid sophisticated Israeli surveillance techniques, in an attempt to protect its leaders from assassination operations.

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).

Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.