Portugal prosecutors open probe into US use of Lajes base in Iran conflict

October 3, 2026 at 06:10 PM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

Portuguese prosecutors opened an investigation on Saturday into the legality of the government's authorization for US use of Lajes Air Base during the Iran conflict. The probe follows a complaint by the Left Bloc party, which argued the authorization violated international law. Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel has defended the decision, saying Portugal was not involved in the conflict and the base use complied with international law.

Key Facts

Portuguese prosecutors opened the probe on Saturday following a complaint by members of the Left Bloc party.
The Left Bloc filed its complaint in April, arguing the US use of Lajes amounted to a “gross violation of international law.”
Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel said Portugal was not involved in the conflict and that the base use complied with international law.
The Lajes base hosts the 65th Air Base Wing of the US Air Force and provides support for US, NATO and allied operations.

The Investigation

The Prosecutor General’s Office said the probe was opened following a complaint filed by members of the Left Bloc party. The Left Bloc asked prosecutors in April to investigate the US use of the Lajes base, arguing it amounted to a “gross violation of international law.” Portugal’s Foreign Ministry declined to comment on the investigation. Portuguese prosecutors are bound by the principle of legality, requiring them to investigate alleged wrongdoing when there are sufficient grounds to do so.

Government Position

Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel has said Portugal was not involved in the conflict and that the use of the Lajes base complied with international law. Rangel said the authorization was given only after assurances from Washington that any operation would be defensive, necessary and proportionate, and limited to military targets. Portugal, unlike neighbouring Spain, authorised several US transit flights through the Lajes air base. That decision drew criticism from left-wing opposition parties and triggered a political debate over Lisbon’s role in operations linked to the conflict with Iran.

Lajes Air Base

The Lajes base is located in Portugal’s Atlantic Azores archipelago and is a strategic transit hub for US forces under a bilateral defence treaty dating back to 1951. It hosts the 65th Air Base Wing of the US Air Force, providing support for US, NATO and allied operations. A longstanding agreement with the US allows Washington to use the base without prior authorisation during peacetime, but requires Portugal to give approval once hostilities begin.