Iran: the Aftermath of UNGA, more Universal Isolation and Split Inside
October 3, 2019, 12:08 pm

Iran the Aftermath of UNGA, more Universal Isolation and Split Inside

By: Hassan.Mahmoudi

The mullahs’ Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei hoped that his ruling circle is able to use UN general assembly for outreach, to force the U.S. to back down from its maximum pressure campaign and render some economic relief for his suffocating finances. However, it appears that the UN general assembly has created more global isolation outside, and more rifts and disorder inside his own regime.

In his speech at the U.N. on Tuesday, Trump reserved his harshest words for Iran, calling it "one of the greatest threats" to the planet.

"All nations have a duty to act. No responsible government should subsidize Iran's bloodlust," he

said, accusing Iran of fueling the wars in Syria and Yemen.

A day earlier, Britain, France, and Germany joined the United States in blaming Iran for the Sep. 14 attack, "It is clear for us that Iran bears responsibility for this attack. There is no other plausible explanation," "The time has come for Iran to accept negotiation on a long-term framework for its nuclear program as well as on issues related to regional security, including its missiles program and other means of delivery,". The three leaders said in a joint statement released by France.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson went further and said the UK will consider taking part in a US-led military effort to bolster the Gulf kingdom's defenses.

a few blocks from where Rouhani was speaking at the United Nations’ headquarters.", U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced additional U.S. sanctions targeting Iran’s ability to sell its oil, this time imposing penalties on six Chinese companies and their chief executives for continuing to transport Iranian crude. 'We’re telling China and all nations; know that we will sanction every violation of sanctionable activity,'

While diplomatic talks are taking place quietly in different corners of the city, a loud and lively demonstration drew several hundred people to denounce Iran's government just blocks away from the U.N. headquarters. The rally's organizers, the Organization of Iranian American Communities insisted several thousand people took part in the protest.

Trump's personal lawyer and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani addressed the crowd, describing Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei as "the murdering ayatollah" and Tehran's clerical leadership "the murdering mullahs."

"I am speaking in my individual capacity. I am for regime change. Down with the tyrants in Iran. Down with the ayatollah and the mullahs and all the crooks," Giuliani said.

Iranian opposition leader Maryam Rajavi said in a message to the rally: "Your gathering in New York is a resounding 'No!' to the policy of appeasement, to the policy of buying chances for a moribund regime, and to the policy of inaction toward a regime that preserves its power through warmongering, terrorism, and suppression."

As a result, Khamenei received heavy blows from UNGA. Iran's attack on Saudi oil facilities was a strategic mistake by the Khamenei. On Tuesday in a meeting with the members of the Assembly of Experts, Ali Khamenei, attacked European states for not having helped his regime out of its current ordeal.

In his remarks, Khamenei said, “ do not have the same capabilities, hegemony, and facilities ; but, the mentality of the European leaders are the same as that of the U.S. officials. They enter the scene as mediators, they negotiate, contact, make calls, make lengthy speeches, and make commitments, but they are not truthful.”

Khamenei also lamented that the Europeans have in effect “adhered to the U.S.'s cruel secondary sanctions and did not take any steps.”

Meanwhile, Khamenei revealed his desperate need to garner support from European countries and avoid total isolation from the international community by saying, “One point about Europe and the foreign policy affairs is that we have not closed the door for establishing relations and negotiating with any country in the world, apart from the Zionist Regime and the U.S. We are indeed busy working and endeavoring.”

In the meantime, protest and demonstration escalated in many cities in Iran. On Friday, the workers of Haft Tapeh Sugar Cane Mill continued their strike in support of their fired coworkers despite the heavy presence of the Iranian regime’s security forces. Located in Khuzestan, Haft Tapeh is Iran’s largest producer of sugar.

The workers of Haft Tapeh started their strike after the company’s managers refrained from renewing the contract of 20 workers at the factory. The protesting workers also demand the payment of their delayed wages. Since Monday, when the strikes began, the Iranian regime has dispatched security forces to cause fear and prevent the strikes and protests from expanding.

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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.