The Last Nail in the Coffin of the Wilayat al-Faqih Regime in Lebanon!
March 2, 2025, 2:24 pm

The Last Nail in the Coffin of the Wilayat al-Faqih Regime in Lebanon!

نظام مير محمدي

The ban on "Mahan Air" flights to Beirut Airport has sparked rapid and disturbed reactions from Iranian regime officials. The regime has resorted to intensive diplomatic moves and exchanges of messages with relevant parties in Lebanon, while simultaneously pushing its agents in the country to the streets in an attempt to exert pressure.

Iranian regime agents attempted through gatherings and protests to block the road to Beirut Airport, aiming to force local authorities and airport management to reverse the decision, but the Lebanese Army confronted them and reopened the road.

In this context, the regime's official news agency reported a statement from Lebanese Hezbollah on Sunday morning saying, "We condemn the Lebanese Army's use of tear gas against citizens… and we call on the government to retract its decision to prevent Iranian planes from landing at Beirut Airport." (IRNA – February 16)

Conversely, Agence France-Presse reported on February 15 that the Lebanese government had prevented Iranian flights from landing at Beirut Airport twice the previous week, following a U.S. warning about the possibility of Israeli targeting of Iranian aircraft. According to the report, Israel informed the Lebanese government, through U.S. officials, last Thursday that it would target the airport if an Iranian plane landed there. Washington also assured the Lebanese side that Israel was serious in its threats. Consequently, another Iranian plane was not allowed to land in Lebanon the following Friday.

In this context, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam stated, "The security of Beirut Airport comes before any other consideration."

According to reports from Arab media, the concern of Lebanese authorities stems from attempts by the Iranian regime to transport money and gold to the Lebanese Hezbollah forces facing significant collapse.

**Escalation in Lebanon Reveals the Iranian Regime's Strategic Defeat**

On February 15, the newspaper "Farahikhtegan," affiliated with Ali Akbar Velayati, the senior adviser to Khamenei on international affairs, published an article titled "What is the Truth Behind the Cancellation of Tehran-Beirut Flights?" The article referenced the inspection of the Iranian diplomatic delegation's luggage since last month, stating, "These measures have been intensified under the supervision of American officers following rumors about the cargo of Mahan Air flights, where the Al-Hadath network, quoting Western sources, claimed that Iran seeks to transfer millions of dollars to Hezbollah via Mahan Air flights between Tehran and Beirut."

The same newspaper adds, "The Lebanese government's decision came as a result of a combination of external pressures and internal developments following the assassination of martyr Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, as well as attempts to adjust the balance of power in the region."

However, regional observers, along with media and regime elements themselves, view the issue of Beirut Airport as going beyond merely "adjusting the balance of power" or "the matter of transferring funds," but rather reflects a major strategic defeat for the Iranian regime in Lebanon.

Some media outlets aligned with the regime openly admit, "We have lost Lebanon." Others go further, expressing deep concern about the fate of the regime's agents in Iraq after the fall of the Syrian dictator and foresee a dark future for the Wilayat al-Faqih regime.

In this context, the government newspaper "Ham-Mihan" published an article on December 21, 2024, titled "The Consequences of Assad's Fall for Iran," stating, "The fall of Bashar Assad is not just a significant event for Syria, but it will have repercussions across the entire Middle East. However, no country will be affected by this event as much as Iran. A sudden withdrawal of Tehran from Syria will represent a major strategic and military loss for Iran."

As for the government newspaper "Setareh Sobh," it published an article on January 13, 2025, titled "Opportunities in Dangerous Days." In this article, the newspaper discussed five plans being implemented in the Middle East, which it labeled:

- Plan A - Gaza
- Plan B - Lebanon
- Plan C - Syria
- Plan D - Iraq
- Plan E - Iran

The newspaper warned, stating, "Among these five plans, the first three have been executed through the destruction of Gaza and the killing of its people, dismantling Hezbollah's infrastructure in Lebanon, and the fall of Bashar Assad. Now, it is time for the implementation of the remaining two plans!"

Mir Mohammadi

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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.