Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel confirmed that Lisbon has authorized dozens of landings at the strategic Lajes base in the Azores, but with a condition: American machines must not be deployed to bomb civilian infrastructure
Portugal allowed US aircraft to use its air base in the Azores and fly over its territory on the condition that they would not be used to bomb civilian infrastructure. In several cases, the landing was also refused, Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel said on Tuesday. TASR informs about it according to a Reuters report.
- Portugal allowed US aircraft to use a base in the Azores.
- Lisbon has allowed seventy-six landings by American military aircraft since the beginning of the war.
- Some European countries have refused American flights and access to their bases.
- The rejection of European naval aid near Hormuz irritated President Donald Trump.
“Faithful Partnership”
According to Rangel, the United States complied with the Portuguese condition in the spirit of “faithful partnership” between the two NATO member states. Since the beginning of the US-Israeli war with Iran, Lisbon has allowed 76 landings by US aircraft at the Lajes base in the Azores in the North Atlantic Ocean and 25 overflights through its airspace. The base is home to the 65th Air Squadron of the US Air Force.
Spain, France, Italy, and Austria have denied American planes access to bases or flights over their territory in connection with the war in Iran.
European countries also refused to send naval forces to help open the Strait of Hormuz, which irritated US President Donald Trump, who subsequently said he was seriously considering his country’s withdrawal from NATO.
Rangel: We are always transparent
According to Rangel, Portugal grants permission to use its base for military action in the event of an attack on the United States, provided the response is “necessary and proportionate” and does not target civilians.
“The Portuguese government has always taken care of transparency in this matter. We announce when we issue a permit, and when American planes fly over, other European governments proceed at their own discretion,” explained the head of diplomacy.
Iran, the United States and their allies on Wednesday night agreed to Pakistan’s proposal for an immediate two-week ceasefire in the Middle East war. The agreement also includes the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, through which, according to Tehran, navigation will take place in coordination with the Iranian army and “with due consideration of technical limitations.”
