Two-Month Deadline… Washington Prepares Military Plans Amid Tehran's Delayed Response
As Iran continues to delay its response to Trump’s messages, U.S. military threats in the region are increasing, complicating the crisis and placing Tehran in a difficult position
March 27, 2025, 7:25 pm

Two-Month Deadline… Washington Prepares Military Plans Amid Tehran's Delayed Response

ترامب وإيران

The U.S. administration is still awaiting Iran’s reply to the letter sent by President Donald Trump to Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, but Trump and his administration are not prepared to wait much longer. Media reports indicate a two-month deadline from the date of the message, meaning that we are now entering the second and final month of this period.

U.S. Military Threats Escalate

A U.S. official confirmed to Al-Arabiya/Al-Hadath that the U.S. administration is escalating its plans for maximum pressure on Iran. The official added that U.S. forces are considering broad plans to deploy significant troops in the Middle East.

Last week, reports emerged about the deployment of a second U.S. Navy group to the region, with the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier on a mission to strike Houthi forces in Yemen. However, the official pointed out that the new troop deployment is not related to the mission in Yemen but is part of a broader strategy primarily targeting Iran.

The official further emphasized that the United States possesses massive air capabilities that can respond quickly if needed for bombing or executing other military missions.

These plans are part of Trump’s approach to show that he is serious in his threats and ready to use military force if necessary, despite repeatedly stating that he considers force a last resort.

Conflicting Iranian Messages

Meanwhile, Iran’s messages remain mixed. Supreme Leader Khamenei believes there should be no talks with the U.S., while Iranian President Rouhani views negotiations as necessary to resolve certain issues. Meanwhile, other figures within Iran are calling for engagement with Washington to resolve the crisis.

Trump’s demands, as expressed by National Security Advisor Mike Bolton, include Iran’s complete abandonment of its nuclear program, missile program, and halting its support for armed proxies in the Middle East.

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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.