Portugal Permits U.S. Military Use of Azores Base, But With Strict Conditions on Civilian Protection

LISBON, April 7 (Reuters) – Portugal has granted the United States permission for 76 landings at the Lajes Air Base in the Azores and 25 overflights of its territory since hostilities between the U.S., Israel, and Iran began, Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel disclosed on Monday. The authorization came with a critical caveat: the aircraft must not be used in operations targeting civilian infrastructure.

Addressing a parliamentary committee, Rangel stated that Washington had so far adhered to this condition, framing it within the "loyal cooperation" expected of NATO allies. He also revealed that Portugal had denied several other landing requests, underscoring Lisbon's selective approach. "We are against any attack on civilian infrastructure, and we made that a condition for the use of the Lajes air base," Rangel emphasized.

The Portuguese position highlights a broader European unease. Nations including Spain, France, Italy, Austria, and Switzerland have similarly restricted or refused U.S. military aircraft access to their airspace or bases concerning the Iran conflict, reflecting diplomatic and public concerns over escalation.

The backdrop to these transit negotiations is a tense ultimatum. U.S. President Donald Trump has warned Iran to end its blockade of Gulf oil shipments by Tuesday evening, Washington time, or face the destruction of "every bridge and power plant" in the country—a threat that directly raises the stakes for allies like Portugal who seek to balance alliance obligations with humanitarian principles.

Rangel explained that Lisbon's long-standing agreement allows the use of Lajes for military action primarily in response to an attack on the United States, provided any response is "necessary and proportional" and avoids civilian targets. "The Portuguese government has always made a point of handling this transparently," he said, adding that Portugal continues to advocate for a diplomatic resolution to the crisis.

The Lajes Air Base, home to the U.S. Air Force's 65th Air Base Wing, remains a pivotal strategic asset in the mid-Atlantic, facilitating logistics and operations for the U.S., NATO, and allied forces.

Reaction & Analysis:

Maria Silva, Lisbon-based Foreign Policy Analyst: "Portugal is walking a very fine, but principled, line. By setting clear red lines on civilian protection, it maintains its NATO credibility while asserting an independent foreign policy stance common among smaller European states in this crisis."

David Chen, Security Studies Professor at Georgetown University: "The conditional access granted by Portugal is a microcosm of the wider transatlantic dynamic. European capitals are providing support, but it's becoming increasingly contingent and politically costly for Washington, potentially complicating future operational planning."

António Costa, Veteran & Political Commentator (Lisbon): "This is a disgraceful charade! Our government pretends to have a backbone by setting 'conditions,' but simply providing the runway makes us complicit. We are fueling a war machine that has explicitly threatened to destroy a nation's civilian infrastructure. Where is the morality in that?"

Elena Fischer, Brussels Correspondent for European Affairs Digest: "The pattern of denials from Portugal and others signals a significant, if quiet, coalition management challenge for the U.S. It's not an outright refusal of support, but a calibrated withdrawal of unconditional access, reflecting deep European reservations about the conflict's trajectory."