The announcement of possible sanctions against Zukan Helez, Minister of Defense in the Council of Ministers, and the suspension of military cooperation with Bosnia and Herzegovina may be Washington’s response to the Sarajevo authorities’ growing ties with the regime in Tehran, according to media reports. Deputy Minister of Defense Aleksandar Goganović stated that, due to Helez’s agreement with an Iranian military representative on cooperation in the defense industry, the already agreed procurement of helicopters from the United States may be halted.
Iran has not given up its presence in the region, having militarily supported the Bosniaks during the war, spread radical ideology, and established intelligence cells under the guise of humanitarian organizations, emphasized terrorism expert Dževad Galijašević for RTRS.
Just after triumphantly announcing a $173 million helicopter purchase from the US, Zukan Helez “poked a finger in the eye” of the Americans by making deals with one of their primary adversaries. On May 21, at the Ministry of Defense, Helez met with the ambassador and military attaché of the Islamic Republic of Iran to discuss military cooperation in the defense industry.
It didn’t take long for a sharp warning to come from the US State Department. Goganović stated that Helez is acting with the Iranians without his or the Ministry’s Collegium’s knowledge.
“I fear that the US might cut all bilateral military cooperation with Bosnia and Herzegovina. But what’s even more serious is the possibility of halting all donations and support to the Ministry of Defense, including the procurement of helicopters. Thanks to Helez’s irresponsible behavior, we are now most likely not going to receive those helicopters,” said Goganović.
According to Večernji list (BiH edition), the US administration has issued a final warning to Zukan Helez over his cooperation with the regime in Tehran.
Helez, who previously shocked the public by suggesting the hiring of Turkish fighter jets to operate over Bosnia and Herzegovina, is now publicly thanking Iran for its wartime support—support that included continuous weapons supplies to the so-called Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina (ARBiH).
Along with weapons came the ideology of radical Islam, Galijašević pointed out. Therefore, the US reaction to the establishment of close ties with Iran comes as no surprise.
“What is surprising is that Zukan Helez has not been stopped by the Intelligence-Security Agency (OSA), arrested, and imprisoned for undermining the constitutional order and cooperating with extremist states to acquire new war technologies for the purpose of triggering future conflict in BiH. Cooperation with Iran has been ongoing since it was initiated by Alija Izetbegović,” stated security expert Dževad Galijašević.
The silence of leading Bosniak parties regarding Helez’s stunt with the Iranians is striking, especially considering that the US is their strategic military partner and protector. The only one to speak out was Mirnes Ajanović, leader of the BOSS party, who demanded Helez’s dismissal, accusing him of bringing Bosnia and Herzegovina to the brink of US sanctions.
“Helez has jeopardized all strategic advantages Bosnia and Herzegovina enjoys in cooperation with the US, including military programs, security resources, and diplomatic support. He must be dismissed for directly endangering the country’s security,” said Ajanović.
Although he is usually quick to comment on everything and everyone, Zukan Helez has remained silent regarding the potential US sanctions and the possible suspension of military cooperation with Washington.
Source: Glas Srpske
