Portugal’s Public Prosecutor’s Office has opened an investigation into the legality of the government’s decision to allow the United States to use the Lajes Air Base in the Azores during the conflict with Iran.
The move follows a complaint by the opposition Left Bloc party, Reuters reports.
A long-standing agreement between Portugal and the United States allows Washington to use the base without prior authorisation in peacetime; however, once hostilities begin, Portugal must grant separate permission.
Unlike Spain, Portugal approved several transit flights for US forces. The decision drew criticism from the left-wing opposition and sparked political debate about Lisbon’s role in operations linked to the conflict.
The country’s Prosecutor General’s Office confirmed that proceedings were opened following an appeal from Left Bloc representatives. The opposition party approached law enforcement as far back as April, saying the use of the base was a serious breach of international law. Portuguese law requires prosecutors to investigate potential violations where there are sufficient grounds.
Earlier, Portugal’s foreign minister said the country had not taken part in the conflict and that the use of the base complied with international norms. He said permission was granted only after assurances from Washington that all operations would be defensive in nature and would be directed solely at military targets.
- Lajes Air Base is located on Portugal’s Azores archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean. It is a strategic transit hub for the US military under a 1951 defence treaty. The 65th Air Base Wing of the US Air Force is stationed there, providing support for operations by the United States, NATO and allied forces.