Portugal OKs 76 U.S. Azores Landings, Bans Civilian Targets
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- Portugal's Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel told parliament the government has authorized 76 U.S. aircraft landings at Lajes air base in the Azores and 25 overflights of its territory since the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran began
- Rangel said authorization was granted on condition the aircraft not be used to bomb civilian infrastructure, adding the U.S. had complied with the condition in the spirit of "loyal cooperation" between the two NATO allies
- Portugal also refused several U.S. landing requests during the same period, Rangel told the parliamentary hearing
- Spain, France, Italy, Austria and Switzerland have restricted or refused U.S. military aircraft access to their airspace or bases in connection with the Iran war
- Rangel framed Lisbon's policy as authorizing Lajes for military action only in response to an attack on the United States, provided the response is "necessary and proportional" and does not target civilians
- Trump has given Iran until 8 p.m. Tuesday Washington time — 3:30 a.m. Wednesday in Tehran — to end its blockade of Gulf oil or face U.S. destruction of every bridge and power plant
Why it matters: Lajes, home to the U.S. Air Force's 65th Air Base Wing, is a strategic mid-Atlantic hub for U.S. and NATO operations, so Portugal's conditional access gives Washington a working base for the Iran campaign while letting Lisbon publicly uphold a civilian-protection red line. With Spain, France, Italy, Austria and Switzerland already restricting or refusing U.S. military access, Portugal's "loyal cooperation with conditions" carves out a middle path that preserves alliance standing without granting Washington a blank check.
