BiH Defence Minister: I did not accept defence cooperation with Iran

As stated by the Ministry of Defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Iranian military attaché was accompanied by the ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran and was received by a multiethnic delegation of the MoD BiH headed by Minister Zukan Helez, thereby fulfilling the criteria of professionalism and multiethnicity that reflect the character of the Ministry.

“It is true that the Iranian side proposed the establishment of bilateral defense cooperation and the exchange of high-level visits. However, Minister Helez did not accept any obligations in this regard and explicitly emphasized that such cooperation would only be possible if there were substantial progress in relations between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran,” the statement reads.

The misinterpretation of the content of the said meeting, as presented to the public, prompted a reaction from strategic partners—the United States—which was received by the MoD BiH with the utmost seriousness and responsibility.

“I fully understand the reaction of the U.S. Embassy in BiH as well as the interest of our public, and I hereby express my regret and apology to our strategic partners for the way the content of the meeting was conveyed in the media. On the other hand, I view the U.S. response to these shortcomings and the manner in which they reacted as a well-intentioned and friendly act. I see it as confirmation of their sincerity, openness, and commitment to Bosnia and Herzegovina and its Euro-Atlantic path. The Ministry of Defense of BiH remains firmly committed to strategic partnership with the United States and our Euro-Atlantic course, and we will not take any steps that would call these commitments into question,” said the Minister of Defense of BiH, Zukan Helez.