Why Iran is not buying COVID Vaccine
December 26, 2020, 6:00 am

covid

More than 80 countries have already ordered 7 billion doses of coronavirus vaccines, including poor countries such as Ecuador, Panama, and Afghanistan, and even Venezuela, which is facing a severe financial crisis, has ordered the vaccine. Some countries, including in the Persian Gulf, have started public vaccination, but the Iranian regime has not taken any action to purchase or order the coronavirus vaccine.

The question is what is the problem and why? even though Iran is one of the countries with the highest number of victims of the coronavirus and according to reliable sources more than 190,000 people have lost their lives so far. The Iranian government has not taken any action to buy the coronavirus vaccine to prevent the massacre of Iranians? In recent weeks, the death toll has risen to nearly 500 each day, according to the regime itself.

Even economically, daily delay in procuring the vaccine is causing great damage to the Iranian economy, as the state media of “Donyaye Eghtessad”( meaning world of economy) wrote on Sunday, December 20th: Studies show that at worst $ 48 billion and at best $ 32 billion is the cost to economy due to the outbreak of the coronavirus.

While the cost of vaccination of the entire population of Iran is estimated to be 5 billion dollars at most which shows the benefit of buying the vaccine is much greater than the economic loss ...

This situation has reached a point where even some officials in Iran have opened their mouths to protest the government's inaction. For example, Mostafa Moeen, head of the Immunology, Asthma and Allergy Research Center at Tehran University of Medical Sciences, said: "The most effective and decisive way to build herd immunity and end the killing of homeless people is timely vaccination, which must be purchased as soon as possible."

But why does the mullahs' regime not buy the coronavirus vaccine and what are its tricks?!

This question can also be seen in Iran's newspapers.

The state-run “Mardom Salary” newspaper under the header of "Criticism of officials' response to Corona vaccine" wrote:

"Iran, unlike all countries that have lined up to buy these two types of vaccines; Has made another decision. In recent weeks, there have been conflicting views on the problems with vaccine purchases, such as "lack of sufficient foreign funds resources", "impossibility of currency transfer", "sanctions", "lack of proper transportation" and so on. . . ".

Hamdeli newspaper on December 23^rd wrote in an article titled "From the officials’ excuses and people’s demands about the fight against coronavirus":

“Despite the production of the Moderna vaccine and the easier access to it, both in terms of price and portability, Iranian officials are still eyeing the production of a vaccine that is to be made in Iran this winter and will reach the public injection stage next spring. This six-month promise is made by health officials as time passes quickly, and the coronavirus is killing more people every day and makes their families mourn."

Obviously, the victims of coronavirus are not just "numbers", they are human and have families. they were born one day amidst the laughter of their families and relatives, and had "souls", felt "pain", laughter, and joy as well as, of course, loved life. Facilitating their deaths under no pretext is justifiable because every death conceals a painful catastrophe.

Buying a coronavirus vaccine without wasting time is a public demand. Especially now that coronavirus has shown a more violent face and due to its mutation, its infection progression has increased 70 times. People on social media, especially Twitter, have passed the public’s demand by launching # "Buy Vaccine".

It seems that the Iranian regime, like its other social problems, is at an impasse due to internal conflicts in purchasing the coronavirus vaccine. On the one hand, by not signing the FATA agreement, it will not be able to transfer money. On the other hand, if it signs the FATA, its path of financial aid and money laundering for its terrorist and proxy forces will be blocked!

Meanwhile, since the IRGC mafia has direct control over all affairs in Iran under Khamenei's direct supervision, many believe that vaccines were not bought because of the IRGC's intervention, which seeks to use the coronavirus outbreak as a means to prevent rallies and protests. Because they know very well that if there is room for assembly and If the people's protests start, a much worse situation will occur than in November 2019 for them, which just in 3 days more than 100 cities engulfed in mass protest and many government buildings set to fire by people and the IRGC only by shooting directly at people and killing more than 1500 of them managed to suppress the protests. But this time they may not be able to control these protests and general uprising, may lead to change of the entire regime in Iran.

By Cyrus Yaqubi

Cyrus Yaqubi is a Research Analyst and Iranian Foreign Affairs Commentator investigating the economy of the middle east countries that are relying on the oil revenue and comparing their progress to their ruling system, specially covering a variety of topics about Iran.

Iran looking to meddle in Afghanistan with Fatemiyoun mercenaries Power struggle at the head of the ruling regime in Iran

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.