Portugal prosecutors probe legality of US use of Lajes base in Iran war

Portuguese prosecutors have launched an investigation into the legality of the government's authorization for the US to use the Lajes Air Base in the Azores during the Iran conflict, following a complaint from the Left Bloc party. The opposition claims the use violates international law, while the government asserts it complied with legal requirements, citing defensive assurances from Washington.

Portuguese prosecutors announced on Saturday they have opened an investigation into the legality of the center-right government's decision to authorize the United States' use of the Lajes Air Base in the Azores during the ongoing conflict with Iran. The probe follows a complaint filed by members of the Left Bloc party, which argues the US use of the base amounts to a gross violation of international law. A longstanding bilateral defense treaty dating back to 1951 allows Washington to use the base without prior authorization during peacetime, but requires Portugal to give approval once hostilities begin. Portugal, unlike neighboring Spain, authorized several US transit flights through the base, a decision that drew criticism from left-wing opposition parties and triggered a political debate over Lisbon's role in operations linked to the conflict. Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel has said Portugal was not involved in the conflict and that the use of the base complied with international law, having been authorized only after assurances from Washington that any operation would be defensive, necessary and proportionate, and limited to military targets. The Prosecutor General's Office said the probe was opened following the complaint but provided no further details. Portugal's Foreign Ministry declined to comment. The Lajes base is a strategic transit hub for US forces under the bilateral defense treaty and hosts the 65th Air Base Wing of the US Air Force.