Khamenei's Fatwa: The Smoke Screen for Iran's Nuclear Ambitions
October 30, 2024, 12:17 pm

Khamenei's Fatwa: The Smoke Screen for Iran's Nuclear Ambitions

محمود حكميان

Amid recent developments, Iran's nuclear program, shrouded in secrecy for decades, has resurfaced as a serious threat. A statement issued by the Iranian National Resistance Council's Defense and Strategic Research Committee on October 14, 2024, revealed that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has ordered the Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) to expedite the completion of their nuclear bomb project.

From the outset, Khamenei's 2010 fatwa, which claimed that the development and use of nuclear weapons is forbidden under Islamic law, was intentionally designed to deceive the international community and obscure Iran's true nuclear ambitions.

In his 2010 statement, Khamenei declared, “We do not believe in nuclear weapons and will not seek to acquire them. According to our religious and ideological principles, the use of such weapons of mass destruction is prohibited.” It has now become clear that this statement aimed to mislead international observers while secretly developing nuclear capabilities.

The Iranian National Resistance Council, which has monitored Iran's nuclear ambitions for over three decades, has consistently revealed secret facilities for uranium enrichment and other clandestine operations of the regime. Given these discoveries, it is now evident that Khamenei's fatwa was merely a deceptive maneuver to hide the true scope of Iran's nuclear intentions.

The disclosure of secret documents from the Iranian Revolutionary Guard highlights increasing pressures within the regime to reevaluate its nuclear doctrine. Senior Iranian officials, including Hassan Khomeini, a prominent cleric and relative of the regime's founder, have publicly called for enhanced military deterrence, pointing to the need for "iron fists" in facing regional threats. On October 5, Hassan Khomeini emphasized that "military deterrence must rise to a higher level," indicating that factions within the regime are pushing for Iran to acquire nuclear weapons as the ultimate form of deterrence.

These internal calls were echoed in a message signed by 39 members of the Iranian parliament on October 9, urging a shift in defense policy to include nuclear weapons. Some parliament members openly suggested that Khamenei's fatwa may be subject to change based on evolving geopolitical circumstances. For instance, parliamentary member Mohammad Reza Sobhaghian stated, "Building a nuclear weapon is essential for creating deterrence and ensuring national security."

Khamenei has remained silent on these public discussions, leaving many to speculate that the fatwa is no longer relevant and that the regime's nuclear ambitions have shifted toward building a strategic arsenal to secure its future.

The Iranian National Resistance Council has repeatedly warned the international community about the dangers posed by the Iranian nuclear program, emphasizing that time is running out to curb the regime's ambitions. For over three decades, the Iranian resistance has exposed Tehran's nuclear activities through more than 120 press conferences, including key revelations about uranium enrichment at Natanz and the heavy water project in Arak.

Despite these efforts, the international community's response has often been hesitant, allowing Iran the necessary space to develop its nuclear program. Now, with internal documents leaking the regime’s urgent pursuit of nuclear weapons, the Iranian National Resistance Council stresses the need to activate the "snapback mechanism" outlined in UN Security Council Resolution 2231, which would reinstate suspended sanctions and curtail Iran's nuclear activities. The Council also insists that the overthrow of the current regime is the only solution to permanently eliminate the nuclear threat it poses to the Iranian people and the broader region.

As tensions escalate, the international community must decide whether to take decisive action or risk further destabilizing a region already plagued by conflicts. The Iranian resistance continues to advocate for international solidarity to prevent the regime from realizing its nuclear aspirations.

— Mahmud Hakmian, Levant

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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.