Archive · 3 Oct 2026
Portugal Probes Government Approval of US Lajes Base Use
Portugal’s prosecutors are looking into whether the government acted lawfully when it allowed the United States to use Lajes Air Base.
The base is in the Azores, a group of islands belonging to Portugal.
The investigation began after members of the Left Bloc complained.
They said the US use of the base violated international law.
Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel says Portugal was not part of the conflict.
He says Portugal approved the use only after the United States gave assurances about the operations.
An agreement between Portugal and the United States sets different rules for peacetime and wartime.
Prosecutors have not shared more details about the investigation.
Portuguese prosecutors opened a probe into the government’s authorisation of US use of Lajes Air Base during the Iran conflict.
The investigation followed an April complaint by members of the opposition Left Bloc.
The Left Bloc says the use of the base amounted to a “gross violation of international law.”
Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel says Portugal was not involved in the conflict and that the authorisation complied with international law.
A longstanding agreement allows peacetime use without prior approval but requires Portuguese approval once hostilities begin.
- Who
- Portuguese prosecutors, the centre-right government, the United States, and the opposition Left Bloc.
- What
- Prosecutors opened an investigation into the legality of Portugal’s authorisation of US use of Lajes Air Base.
- When
- The probe was announced on Saturday; the Left Bloc filed its complaint in April.
- Where
- Lajes Air Base in Portugal’s Azores archipelago.
- Why
- The probe followed a complaint alleging that US use of the base violated international law.
Criticism of the authorisation
Government defence of the authorisation
Whether the base use was lawful
Criticism of the authorisation
The Left Bloc argued that US use of Lajes Air Base amounted to a “gross violation of international law.”
Government defence of the authorisation
Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel said the use complied with international law and was approved after US assurances that operations would be defensive, necessary, proportionate, and limited to military targets.
Portugal’s role in the conflict
Criticism of the authorisation
Left-wing opposition criticism raised concerns about Lisbon’s role in operations linked to the Iran conflict.
Government defence of the authorisation
Rangel said Portugal was not involved in the conflict.
- Base
- Lajes Air Base, in the Azores.
- Investigation
- The Prosecutor General’s Office said the probe followed a complaint by Left Bloc members.
- Complaint
- The Left Bloc asked prosecutors to investigate in April.
- Portugal’s position
- Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel said Portugal was not involved in the conflict and that authorisation complied with international law.
- Agreement
- The longstanding agreement allows use without prior authorisation in peacetime and requires Portuguese approval once hostilities begin.
- Treaty
- The bilateral defence treaty dates back to 1951.
- Base role
- The base is described as a strategic transit hub for US forces and supports US, NATO and allied operations.
