U.S. Congress Discusses the Future of the Iranian Regime
December 31, 2024, 9:20 am

U.S. Congress Discusses the Future of the Iranian Regime

فريد ماهوتشي

One example of the effects of regime change was last Wednesday's meeting at the U.S. Senate, where Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, the elected president of the Iranian resistance, delivered an online speech. The meeting was attended by four senators, two from the Republican Party and two from the Democratic Party. Additionally, the meeting included Donald Trump's representative for Russia and Ukraine, General Keith Kellogg, who is considered a prominent official. Former NATO leaders in Europe, General James Jones and General Walters, also attended and delivered remarks at the meeting.

The Fox News Channel featured this meeting under the headline: "U.S. Officials See Assad's Fall as an Opportunity to Change the Iranian Regime," and published a photo of Mrs. Maryam Rajavi.

This article, along with the image of Mrs. Rajavi, became the focus of widespread debate on social media. The title and the photo of Mrs. Rajavi as the keynote speaker at a meeting that included a senior official from the upcoming U.S. administration and four senators carried a very strong political message. In effect, this meeting and its repercussions had a significant impact on politics and the proposal for an alternative to the Iranian regime.

The importance of the meeting was evident from the composition of the participants and what was said during it. All speakers emphasized that the policy of appeasement or any hope of changing the regime from within is merely an illusion, and that the approach of the new administration will be completely different.

Senator Thom Tillis praised Mrs. Maryam Rajavi’s leadership, prompting immediate reactions from the Iranian regime's media. The "Daneshju" news agency reported that Tillis stated in the meeting, "I have come to the conclusion that Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, the elected president, deserves great appreciation for decades of her leadership and vision for a peaceful transition."

Senator Jeanne Shaheen, referring to Bashar al-Assad’s downfall in Syria, said, "We want Iran to be next in the path of collapse. As you all know, Iran has received a significant blow, and the leadership of the country is in a weak position; the events in Syria have revealed the inherent weakness in Iran's regional strategic policies."

Senator Ted Cruz promised a firm policy against the Iranian regime, stating, "I tell you, the Ayatollah is trembling with fear. We will return on January 20 to a policy of maximum pressure. We will cut off this oppressive and tyrannical regime’s access to resources by every possible means. Iran is weak. The Ayatollah will fall. The mullahs will fall. And we will witness free and democratic elections in Iran."

General James Jones affirmed in his speech that the regime has no capacity for internal change and emphasized the end of the policy of appeasement. He fully called for support for the resistance and Mrs. Maryam Rajavi as a solution to the problem.

Speaking about change in Iran, he said: "I mean a democratic change based on the ten-point plan of Mrs. Rajavi, which I have always called Jeffersonian principles." He further emphasized the necessity of supporting the National Council of Resistance of Iran, stating, "Iran is now known for what it truly is. The National Council of Resistance is gradually being recognized by the U.S. and the global media as the voice of the opposition for Iran's future."

He pointed to the U.S. Constitution that he was holding and said, "I propose that the Iranian people soon receive a book that includes two sections: the first section is Mrs. Rajavi's ten-point program, and the second section is a new constitution for the future government of Iran.".

Farid Mahouchi

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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.