Russia Criticizes New American Conditions for Nuclear Deal with Tehran
The Russian Foreign Minister's statements reveal increasing diplomatic complications in the Iranian nuclear file and conflicting interests among influential international powers in the region
March 13, 2025, 10:34 pm

Russia Criticizes New American Conditions for Nuclear Deal with Tehran

Photo credit: U.S. Department of State on VisualHunt.com

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov revealed during a press interview conducted Wednesday in Moscow an American demand to stop the activities of Iran-linked groups as a condition for reaching a new nuclear agreement, confirming continued Russian communication with the European side aimed at reviving this agreement.

Lavrov explained in the interview published on the official website of the Russian Foreign Ministry that Moscow supports a framework leading to "developing the nuclear agreement," but expressed his annoyance with the United States' insistence on imposing political conditions, including ending Iranian support for certain groups in Iraq, Lebanon, and Syria, considering these conditions "disturbing and concerning."

He highlighted that Washington is demanding Tehran stop supporting certain groups in the Middle East as a "fundamental condition for a new nuclear agreement."

While the American administration talks about a new nuclear agreement, this senior Russian official emphasized that his country still adheres to maintaining and implementing the current nuclear agreement, the agreement from which the United States withdrew during Donald Trump's first term.

Lavrov continued: "The concerning matter is that there are indications that the Americans want to link the new agreement to certain political conditions, including making verifiable arrangements proving that Iran has stopped supporting its allies in Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, and elsewhere," conditions described by the Russian Foreign Minister as "unachievable."

Regarding the reasons for his concern, the head of Russian diplomacy believes that all countries in the region "have strengthened their influence beyond their territories, and have economic and humanitarian projects and programs in other regions, including North Africa, and they even play the role of mediation in some crises such as the crisis in Sudan," adding that "excluding Iran alone from this right to expand its influence is unrealistic, while other countries are allowed to exercise their influence in various regions."

Following the arrival of Anwar Gargash, the political advisor to the President of the United Arab Emirates, to Tehran carrying a message from Trump to Iranian officials, where he was received by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei announced, in a meeting with Iranian students, his rejection of the United States' conditions, indicating that he had not yet seen Trump's message.

Khamenei stated: "I would like to clarify that if the goal of negotiation is to lift sanctions, negotiating with this American administration will not lead to that, the embargo will not be lifted, rather (negotiation) will make sanctions more complicated, and will increase pressure, so negotiating with this administration will only lead to escalating pressure."

He continued: "A few days ago, during my meeting with officials, I mentioned that the American administration is proposing new demands and conditions and increasing expectations, making the situation more complex than it is today, therefore, negotiation will not solve any problem, and will not untie any knot."

It is known that Trump, since his return to the White House for a second term, has shown willingness to negotiate with Iran on one hand, while threatening to impose strict sanctions on the other hand, and has not ruled out resorting to the military option against Tehran.

Analysts believe the American president is seeking a new long-term agreement - as the current agreement expires in 2030 - and one that includes the ballistic missile program and Iranian regional policy.

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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.