Iran does not need sanctions relief to confront coronavirus
April 1, 2020, 7:01 am

Iran does not need sanctions relief to confront coronavirus

ALI REZA

Iran lobby in USA is promoting the notion that coronavirus outbreak and the high number of fatalities in Iran is due to the sanctions imposed on IRGC and other related organizations. They argue that sanctions relief could help the Iranian government confront the virus. Iran does not need

The Foreign Minister of Iran, Javad Zarif, used the Nowruz occasion to beg for sanctions relief.

https://twitter.com/IranArabSpring/status/1241970209046630401?s=20

This is while the US sanctions does not include medicine or medical supplies. In a recent speech, Rouhani confessed by thanking Iran’s railway and airplane departments for bringing and distributing medicine and other medical supplies from overseas.

https://twitter.com/IranArabSpring/status/1242923115933564928?s=20

A closer look on Iran’s activities since the coronavirus breakdown could give us a clear picture about what went wrong.

All International airlines stopped their flights to China except Mahan Air related to the IRGC in Iran. Mahan Air kept flying to Wuhan in China despite all warnings and even acted as a hub and connector for Chinese and non-Chinese travelers from and to Wuhan.

After the outbreak of the virus, Hassan Rouhani strongly refused to impose quarantine on several occasions; and the Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, rejected help from the United States accusing them to have produced the coronavirus with a focus on the Iranian gene.

https://twitter.com/IranArabSpring/status/1241766797793165314?s=20

While IRGC, the highest funded organization in Iran, has been acting very weak on fighting the virus, they have been very strong in monitoring and suppressing online criticisms in this regard.

Several activists, among them an actor, Amir Hussein Rostami, who criticized the government’s wrongdoing on a live TV Show was cut-off in the middle. He was then forced to publish a video clip on his own Instagram within 24 hours apologizing for his statement. Same applied to a member of Basij who opposed the closure of a holy shrine once the authorities finally decided to close them temporarily.

In another case, a female staff at a hospital in the city of Qazvin, who mentioned cases of coronavirus in their hospital as of February 4th, had to publish a video and take back her statement. Iran does not need

https://twitter.com/IranArabSpring/status/1243513632220160000?s=20

On the international front, Iran decided to even expel Doctors Without Borders, which were setting up a 50-bed inflatable hospital and an emergency team in Isfahan, central Iran, to treat patients critically ill with coronavirus disease COVID-19.

The Health Minister advisor and the head of the social media operation center against Corona virus, Ali Reza Vahabzadeh wrote in a tweet “ with appreciation from the Doctors Without Borders, but with the national mobilization plan against corona and the utilization of our military forces’ medical capabilities, we currently do not need any hospital establishment by foreigners and their presence is canceled!

The presence of Doctors Without Borders could have provided real aid to the people of Iran and at the same time provide a clear picture of the actual numbers and statistics as well as medical solutions. The only guaranteed way that the people would seek assistance and benefits and not the government only.

While the Iran lobby abroad is trying to use the coronavirus outbreak as an opportunity to release cash money that ultimately would go to IRGC, we should be reminded that medical supplies are not sanctioned but pushed back by the Supreme Leader himself.

In a tweet on March 28, Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, also revealed “Startling revelation by Iran’s President, Hassan Rouhani that the regime’s concerted effort to lift U.S. sanctions isn’t about fighting the pandemic. It’s about cash for the regime’s leaders.”

The international community should impose pressure on Iran to let the Doctors Without Borders and other independent organizations to be established in Iran and to provide direct medical aid and supply to the people. However, releasing cash money in the pockets of the ruling mullahs would not solve any problem. Instead of demanding U.S. to freeze the sanctions, Iran might want to consider freezing its support to Hezbollah in Lebanon, Bashar Al Assad in Syria, Houtis in Yemen and Iraqi militias.

Ali Reza Assadzadeh is an Iranian American political activist specialized in the Middle East. levant

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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.