Finance
Portuguese leader, in contrast with spain, defends decision to let US use base in iran campaign
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 4, 2026
2 min readLast updated: March 4, 2026
Quick Summary
Portuguese PM Luis Montenegro defended allowing U.S. use of Lajes air base for defensive operations in the Iran campaign, citing legal agreements and NATO commitments, contrasting Spain’s outright refusal.
Portugal Allows US Use of Lajes Base for Iran Campaign, Diverging From Spain
Portugal’s Decision on US Base Use Amid Iran Campaign
Background of the Lajes Airbase Agreement
LISBON, March 4 (Reuters) - Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro defended his decision to let the United States use the Lajes airbase on Portugal's Azores Islands during the Iran bombing campaign, a position at odds with that of neighbour Spain which refused such requests.
A longstanding agreement with the United States allows Washington to use the base without prior authorisation during peacetime, but required Portugal to give approval once hostilities began.
Parliamentary Defense and Legal Compliance
Montenegro’s Statement in Parliament
Montenegro told parliament on Wednesday that U.S. use of the base was in compliance both with Portuguese law and agreements with the United States. Authorisation was granted for defensive purposes, based on necessity and against military targets, following international law, he said.
"Portugal objectively has a close relationship with our ally, the United States," Montenegro told lawmakers.
Justification Against Iran
"Iran repeatedly violated international norms with its nuclear ambitions and long-range missile capabilities," he said, describing Tehran as a state sponsor of international terrorism.
Contrast with Spain’s Policy
Portugal vs. Spain: NATO Membership and Base Access
Portugal's stance starkly contrasted with that of Spain, which angered President Donald Trump by refusing permission to use its bases. Montenegro did not directly address the difference in policy between the neighbours but noted that Portugal was a founding member of the NATO alliance in 1949, whereas Spain joined only in 1982.
Government Response to Conflict Impact
Diplomatic Priorities and Security Concerns
He said the government believed diplomacy must be the priority, but since the start of the conflict, Iran had attacked other countries that had not previously engaged in any hostilities.
Economic Measures to Offset Fuel Prices
Temporary Tax Reduction on Petroleum and Energy
The government will also implement an "extraordinary and temporary" reduction of the tax on petroleum and energy products to offset any fuel price increase above 0.10 euros ($0.12) of this week's price due to the conflict, he added.
($1 = 0.8595 euros)
Reporting Credits
(Reporting by Sergio Goncalves; Writing by Paolo Laudani; Editing by Charlie Devereux, David Latona and Peter Graff)
Key Takeaways
- •Portugal granted U.S. access to Lajes base under a long‑standing treaty that permits peacetime use without prior approval, and wartime access with consent from Lisbon. Portugal states the U.S. use complied with Portuguese law and international norms, and was limited to defensive, necessary operations.
- •Spain, by contrast, rejected U.S. requests to use its jointly‑operated bases at Rota and Morón for Iran strikes, citing international law and UN Charter constraints. That led President Trump to threaten cutting trade with Spain.
- •Portugal emphasized its historical NATO founding membership (1949) and strong alliance with the U.S., while Spain—joining NATO only in 1982—prioritized diplomacy and legal frameworks over military support.
Frequently Asked Questions about Portuguese leader, in contrast with Spain, defends decision to let US use base in Iran campaign
1Why did Portugal allow the US to use the Lajes airbase during the Iran campaign?
Portugal permitted US use of the Lajes airbase for defensive purposes, in line with international law, existing agreements, and national regulations.
2How did Portugal's stance differ from Spain's regarding US base requests?
Portugal approved US use of its base in the Iran campaign, whereas Spain refused, creating a policy difference between the two neighbors.
3What measures did Portugal announce to address rising fuel prices due to the conflict?
The government will temporarily reduce the tax on petroleum and energy products to offset any fuel price increase above 0.10 euros per liter.
4What reasons did Prime Minister Luis Montenegro give for supporting the US?
Montenegro cited Portugal's close US ties, NATO membership, and Iran's violations of international norms as reasons for the decision.
5When did Portugal join NATO compared to Spain?
Portugal was a founding NATO member in 1949, whereas Spain joined the alliance in 1982.