Tehran Summons Swiss Diplomat... and Khamenei Threatens Harsh Response to Any American Attack
Iran continues its hostile policy toward the international community through its rejection of direct negotiations and insistence on uranium enrichment at high levels despite legitimate concerns about
March 31, 2025, 8:15 pm

Tehran Summons Swiss Diplomat... and Khamenei Threatens Harsh Response to Any American Attack

The Iranian Foreign Ministry summoned the Swiss Embassy's chargé d'affaires in Tehran, who represents US interests, on Monday morning, following President Donald Trump's recent statements regarding Iran and regional tensions.

This provocative step reflects the Iranian regime's concern about serious American threats regarding the controversial nuclear program.

Media sources indicated that Issa Kameli, Assistant Foreign Minister and Director General of the Americas Department at the ministry, presented an official protest note to the Swiss diplomat, confirming that Tehran would respond with a "decisive and immediate response" to any threat. The Swiss official committed to conveying the Iranian message to Washington urgently.

This diplomatic move comes at a time of escalating tension between the two powers, especially with Iran exceeding international restrictions imposed on its nuclear program.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei declared during Eid al-Fitr prayer sermons at Imam Khomeini prayer hall in Tehran that the United States "will receive a strong slap" if it acts based on President Trump's threats, saying: "Our positions remain firm as they were... We don't think they want to strike us from outside, but if they try, our response will be harsh... If they think about stirring up sedition within the country, it will be the people themselves who respond to them."

Khamenei's statements demonstrate the Iranian regime's usual escalatory tone in the face of legitimate international pressure to limit its suspicious nuclear ambitions.

US President Donald Trump threatened Tehran on Sunday with bombing and secondary tariffs if it doesn't reach an agreement with Washington regarding its nuclear program. In a telephone interview with NBC, he stated: "If they don't reach an agreement, there will be bombing... It will be bombing like they've never seen before," adding: "But there's a possibility that if they don't reach an agreement, I'll impose secondary tariffs on them as I did four years ago."

The firm American position reflects the US administration's seriousness in dealing with the Iranian nuclear threat that poses a danger to the entire region.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ismail Baqaei commented on Trump's threats, considering them "a clear contradiction to the essence of international peace and security," adding: "Such a threat constitutes a flagrant violation of the United Nations Charter and a violation of the IAEA safeguards system... Violence brings violence, and peace brings peace... The United States can choose... with the consequent results."

These developments come after Iran rejected direct negotiations with Washington last week. Media outlets quoted the Iranian Foreign Minister saying on Thursday that his country sent a response through Oman to a message from Trump urging Tehran to reach a new nuclear deal, confirming its policy of rejecting direct communication with the United States amid what it called a "maximum pressure" campaign and military threats.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian confirmed his country's policy on Sunday, saying: "Direct negotiations (with the United States) were rejected, but Iran has always participated in indirect negotiations, and now the Supreme Leader has also confirmed the possibility of continuing indirect negotiations."

It's worth noting that during his first presidential term (2017-2021), Trump withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers, which imposed strict restrictions on Tehran's nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief. He also reimposed comprehensive American sanctions. Since then, Iran has significantly exceeded the agreed-upon restrictions in its uranium enrichment program.

Western powers accuse the Iranian regime of secretly seeking to develop military nuclear capabilities by enriching uranium to high levels of fissile purity, beyond what can be justified for a civilian nuclear energy program. Meanwhile, Tehran insists that its nuclear program is entirely dedicated to civilian energy purposes, a claim met with widespread international skepticism.

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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.