US use of Lajes Airbase abides by international law

The use of Lajes Airbase by the United States of America abides by international law, stated the Minister of State and Foreign Affairs Paulo Rangel at the European Affairs Commission in Parliament, adding that Portugal is not engaged in the Iranian conflict.

Using the airbase can only be done "in response to a necessary and proportional strike suffered and which does not target civilians". "If these guarantees are given and can be observed, we are tranquil. That is what has happened so far", he claimed.

"If certain rules are met, these operations are allowed; if the rules are unmet, they are not allowed", he said, adding that "we do not discuss national security in public", as this is a matter "that must be dealt with the utmost care".

Paulo Rangel recalled that the Prime Minister Luís Montenegro stated before Parliament that Portugal "does not follow, does not underwrite and is not engaged in this operation" and noted that "this declaration is unchanged".

Ukraine

Paulo Rangel also announced that Portugal will take part in the special tribunal for war crimes in Ukraine.

The decision was shared during the EU informal Foreign Affairs Council held on 30 March in Kiev to mark the four years since the Russian massacre in the Ukrainian city of Bucha by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Inês Domingos.

The Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine was set up in May 2025 by Ukraine, the European Union and the Council of Europe and "Portugal has full participation", Paulo Rangel said.