By Reuters, February 24, 2026
Portugal’s Foreign Minister, Paulo Rangel, has said that increased United States aircraft activity at the Lajes air base in the Azores is fully covered by an existing bilateral treaty and does not require fresh authorization from Lisbon.
Rangel made the clarification on Monday while speaking to reporters in Brussels, amid questions from opposition lawmakers over the legal basis for the surge in U.S. military flights.
The base, located on Terceira Island in the Azores archipelago, has in recent weeks recorded a higher number of U.S. aircraft movements. The development comes as Washington undertakes what it describes as its largest military build-up in the Gulf region since the 2003 Iraq War, amid efforts to address tensions surrounding Iran’s nuclear programme.
Responding to concerns raised by Portugal’s left-wing opposition, Rangel said there had been “a more intensive use of the Lajes base in recent weeks” by U.S. aircraft, but stressed that there had been no breach of agreed rules between both countries.
According to him, the 1951 bilateral defence treaty governing the base allows such activity without the need for additional approval from Portuguese authorities.
“The increased use does not need to be authorised, nor known, by Portugal,” Rangel said, adding that the arrangement has remained consistent for decades.
“Look at the past 50 or 60 years – you will see it has always been this way, and that is how it will continue. We fulfil our obligations,” he stated.
The Lajes air base has long served as a strategic transit point for U.S. forces operating across Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
Rangel also reiterated Portugal’s commitment to diplomatic solutions to international disputes, including ongoing tensions related to Iran, and emphasised the country’s continued support for its alliance with the United States and membership of NATO.
“Portugal has always defended its alliance with the U.S. and its NATO membership, that has not changed with geopolitical shifts,” he said.
