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Sharp Iranian Division Ahead of Saturday Negotiations

Developments are accelerating in Tehran amid rising U.S. pressures, as U.S. President Donald Trump announced on the evening of April 7, 2025, that "direct negotiations are currently taking place with the Iranian regime," emphasizing that "a crucial meeting will be held next Saturday."
Trump's statements followed Washington's tightening of its policy toward the Iranian regime, stating explicitly: "If negotiations fail, the Iranian regime will face a grave danger, because Iran must not possess nuclear weapons under any circumstances."
These statements revealed the sharp contradictions within the Iranian regime, especially after Ali Khamenei's speech on February 8, in which he clearly stated: "Negotiating with America... with a government like this is not permissible; it is neither rational nor smart nor honorable to negotiate."
However, this stance suddenly changed after Abbas Araqchi, the regime’s foreign minister, announced on his “X” platform account that "Iran and the United States will meet on Saturday in Oman for high-level indirect talks."
The shift in stance triggered an internal conflict within the Iranian regime. On April 9, lawmaker Sabaghiyan Baqfi attacked Foreign Minister Araqchi, stating: "A believer should not be bitten by the same hole twice... Do not be deceived by Trump’s carrot, and do not fear his stick; the people will remind you of the Turkmenchay and Golestan treaties if you fail."
In the same parliament, MP Ahmadi shouted: "Didn't Khamenei say that negotiating with America isn't honorable? How can our foreign minister negotiate with the killer of Qassem Soleimani?"
Another deputy from the conservative faction remarked: "On Saturday, dialogue will begin with the enemy… He stated it clearly: either surrender or blood. Anyone who fails to see this is willfully closing their eyes."
A state of media division also prevailed, with one analyst from the regime-affiliated "Jaryan" channel warning: "Do we not remember Qaddafi's fate? Why repeat his mistake and go into negotiations empty-handed?"
In contrast, the government of Bezhaki tried to justify its position, with government spokesperson Mohajerani stating: "We will engage in rational negotiations wisely," while the regime-leaning website "Fararu" wrote: "In August 2025, Europeans will start the activation of the trigger mechanism, and a nuclear agreement must be reached before then to avoid comprehensive sanctions."
The newspaper "Donya-ye Eghtesad" warned that "the West will undoubtedly activate the trigger mechanism if no agreement is reached."
Former diplomat Fereydoun Majlisi lamented: "Some within the regime have spoiled the nuclear agreement process, and now we wish we could return to it to get out of this impasse."
Thus, the Iranian regime finds itself in a sharp strategic impasse: between a faction that fears the fate of Muammar Qaddafi and another that believes ignoring negotiations will mean an inevitable economic and international downfall.
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BENEFIT AGM approves 10%...
- March 27, 2025
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.
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