Portugal prosecutors probe legality of US use of Lajes base

Portugal, unlike neighbouring Spain, authorised several US transit flights through the Lajes air 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 with Iran.

Portuguese prosecutors said on Saturday they had opened a probe into the legality of the Centre-right government’s authorisation of the United States’ use of the Lajes Air Base in the Azores during the Iran conflict, following a complaint by an opposition party.” However, 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, having been authorised only after assurances from Washington that any operation would be defensive, necessary and proportionate, and limited to military targets.