Portugal: US access to Azores base granted under strict conditions

Portugal has allowed the United States to use the Lajes air base in the Azores as part of the conflict with Iran, while imposing a clear condition: no operation should target civilian infrastructure.

The Portuguese Foreign Minister, Paulo Rangel, told Parliament that 76 landings by American aircraft and 25 overflights of the country had been authorized since the beginning of the war. He emphasized that Washington had respected these conditions in a spirit of "loyal cooperation" between NATO allies.

Lisbon, however, indicated that it had refused certain landing requests, demonstrating a desire for strict control over the use of its military infrastructure. The government insists on respecting international law and the need to avoid any harm to civilian populations.

Portugal thus joins other European countries, such as Spain, France or Italy, which have restricted or refused access to their airspace or bases in this context of increased military tensions.

At the same time, the American president Donald Trump Lisbon maintained pressure on Iran, setting an ultimatum to end the oil blockade in the Gulf. However, Lisbon specified that any use of the Lajes base must meet criteria of proportionality and legitimacy, particularly in the event of retaliation for an attack.