The Internal Crisis of the Iranian Regime After the Defeat in Syria... Reflections on Khamenei's Statements
January 5, 2025, 9:30 am

The Internal Crisis of the Iranian Regime After the Defeat in Syria... Reflections on Khamenei's Statements

محمود حكميان

Finally, four days after Bashar al-Assad's fall, Ali Khamenei broke his silence and stated in a speech that the Syrian youth will rearrange matters in Syria. But the real question is: why did the Iranian regime fail to save Bashar al-Assad?

In reality, Bashar al-Assad's regime was solely based on crimes, violence, murder, and executions. The images currently being shown from Assad's prisons depict horrific and sobering scenes. The notorious prison in Saydnaya, for example, is a model that Bashar al-Assad inherited from his father and his mentor, Ali Khamenei. His father, who was equally a criminal, brutally suppressed the uprising in the city of Hama in 1982. At that time, some pilots refused to carry out the bombings and were arrested. Some were executed, while others remained in prison until Bashar al-Assad's downfall.

The point here is that the Iranian regime itself does not possess the capacity to remain in power. After October 7 and the war that erupted in the region, Mr. Massoud Rajavi, the leader of the Iranian resistance, clearly stated that the Iranian regime aimed to temporarily cover up the uprising of the Iranian people under the guise of so-called victory. He emphasized that while this war was a display of tactical power, the strategic loser is Khamenei. As days passed, this became increasingly evident.

These combined events led to the collapse of the support that formed the base of Bashar al-Assad's dictatorship, namely the Iranian regime and Hezbollah. They no longer have the ability to withstand, and Assad's army collapsed. Khamenei was so confused that he remained silent for four days. It can be said that the Iranian regime received a blow that disturbed its balance, a balance that will never return. It's akin to a body that has been cut in half.

Khamenei's own statements were striking and reflected his imbalance. He said that the events in Syria were an American-Israeli conspiracy involving a neighboring state. He added, “In these difficult circumstances, we provided everything Syria needed, but Israel and America closed the skies and roads, and we could not deliver the aid.”

These statements are clear evidence that the Iranian regime is facing a genuine crisis. Khamenei added that "resistance is not weakened by pressure but grows stronger. The Syrian people are being killed now, but this increases the motives for resistance."

Internally, the Iranian regime faces a worsening crisis. Some are questioning: why did we go to Syria and spend $50 billion between 2012 and 2020? However, Khamenei justified this by stating: “We went to Syria for two reasons: to protect holy sites and to confront instability in Syria and Iraq, as their stability impacts Iran's security.” He added that “our operation was advisory, but the Syrian army had to fight the war, with assistance from the Basij forces coming from other places. If the army showed weakness, the Basij forces would not be able to do anything, and that is what happened.”

Khamenei also emphasized the importance of not underestimating the enemy and stressed the necessity of continuing resistance. He mentioned that Iranian intelligence warned Syrian officials several months ago, but they did not listen. Nevertheless, he stated that “Syrian youth will liberate the occupied areas, and the resistance front will drive America out of the region.”

At the end of his remarks, Khamenei warned that “anyone who speaks about the Syrian issue in a way that instills fear among the people is a criminal and must be dealt with by the judiciary.”

All of these matters reflect the extent of tensions within the Iranian regime, and these tensions will undoubtedly increase in the future.

**Levant: Mahmoud Hakmian**

Demanding Guarantees for Minorities.. Baerbock: We Will Judge Al-Jolani Through His Actions Kamel Saqr's Testimonies: Details of the Last Moments Before Bashar al-Assad's Regime Fell

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.