Finance
Portugal Says U.S. Uses Azores Base on Condition No Civilian Infrastructure Targeted
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on April 7, 2026
2 min readLast updated: April 7, 2026
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Portugal permitted 76 U.S. aircraft landings and 25 overflights at Lajes Air Base since the start of the U.S.–Israeli war on Iran, on the strict condition they not target civilian infrastructure—a condition the U.S. has respected under allied cooperation.
Portugal Permits U.S. Military Use of Azores Base With Civilian Safeguards
Portugal's Authorization and Conditions for U.S. Military Use of Lajes Air Base
Overview of U.S. Military Activity at Lajes Air Base
LISBON, April 7 (Reuters) - Portugal said it had authorised 76 landings by U.S. aircraft at the Lajes air base in the Azores and 25 overflights of its territory since the start of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, on condition they were not used to bomb civilian infrastructure.
Compliance With Civilian Safeguards
Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel told a parliamentary hearing the U.S. had complied with the condition, in the spirit of "loyal cooperation" between the two NATO allies, but said that on several occasions landings had also been refused.
European Response to U.S. Military Requests
Restrictions by Other European Countries
Spain, France, Italy, Austria and Switzerland have restricted or refused U.S. military aircraft access to their airspace or bases in connection with the war in Iran.
U.S. Stance and Portugal's Position
U.S. Ultimatum to Iran
U.S. President Donald Trump has given Iran until 8 p.m. on Tuesday in Washington - 3:30 a.m. on Wednesday in Tehran - to end its blockade of Gulf oil or see the U.S. destroy every bridge and power plant in Iran.
Portugal's Conditions for Base Use
Safeguarding Civilian Infrastructure
"We are against any attack on civilian infrastructure, and we made that a condition for the use of the Lajes air base," Rangel said, explaining that Lisbon grants authorisation to use the base for military action in the event of an attack on the United States, provided the response is "necessary and proportional" and does not target civilians.
Transparency and Diplomatic Approach
"The Portuguese government has always made a point of handling this transparently. We say when we authorise it and when there are transits of U.S. aircraft, other (European) governments do as they see fit," Rangel said, reiterating that Portugal supports a diplomatic resolution of the Iran conflict.
Strategic Importance of Lajes Air Base
Lajes Air Base is a strategic hub that hosts the 65th Air Base Wing of the U.S. Air Force, providing base and en route support for U.S., NATO and allied operations.
(Reporting by Sergio Goncalves; editing by Andrei Khalip and Gareth Jones)
Key Takeaways
- •Portugal has allowed specific U.S. military use of Lajes Air Base under strict conditions against civilian targeting, reinforcing NATO trust and transparency.
- •Several European countries—Spain, Italy, Austria, Switzerland—have restricted or denied U.S. military access amid the Iran war, contrasting Lisbon’s conditional approval.
- •Lajes serves as a critical hub for U.S., NATO, and allied operations, supporting refueling, transport, and strategic transit, rather than direct combat missions.
Frequently Asked Questions about Portugal says U.S. uses Azores base on condition no civilian infrastructure targeted
1What conditions did Portugal set for U.S. use of the Azores base?
Portugal required that U.S. operations from the Azores not target or bomb civilian infrastructure.
2How many U.S. military flights did Portugal approve since the Iran conflict began?
Portugal approved 76 landings and 25 overflights by U.S. military aircraft at Lajes Air Base.
3Has Portugal refused any U.S. aircraft landings or overflights?
Yes, Portugal has refused landings on several occasions when its conditions were not met.
4What is the significance of Lajes Air Base?
Lajes Air Base is a strategic hub supporting U.S., NATO, and allied military operations.
5What position does Portugal take on the Iran conflict?
Portugal supports a diplomatic solution to the Iran conflict and insists on transparency in its decisions.
