Portugal investigates US use of Lajes Air Base in connection with Iran war

Portugal is investigating the United States' use of the Lajes Air Base in connection with the Iran war, according to reports by Reuters and Anadolu.

According to Reuters, Portuguese prosecutors said on Saturday, 3 October 2026, that they had opened the probe. Reuters reports that it concerns the legality of the Portuguese government's authorisation of the US use of the base. The probe follows a complaint by an opposition party, according to Reuters.

Reuters places the base in the Azores and describes the government that gave the authorisation as centre-right.

How well this is established

Both outlets support the basic fact of an investigation. The details come from Reuters alone: the prosecutors' announcement, the focus on the legality of the authorisation, and the opposition complaint. The Anadolu item reviewed by Vocemundi was a headline only, and its own sourcing is not shown.

What is disputed

The two outlets describe the timing of the US use of the base differently. Anadolu says it took place "ahead of" the Iran war. Reuters says it took place "during" the Iran conflict. The two descriptions are not necessarily incompatible, and the reports do not give dates.

What each side says

• Portuguese prosecutors: According to Reuters, they have opened a probe into the legality of the government's authorisation of the US use of the Lajes Air Base. The reports do not include the prosecutors' statement itself or any direct quotation from it.
• Opposition party: According to Reuters, it filed the complaint that led to the probe. The reports do not name the party or describe what it alleges.
• Portuguese government: The reports do not include any response.
• United States: The reports do not include any response.

What the reports do not say

The reports reviewed by Vocemundi do not identify which prosecutorial body opened the probe. They do not say whether any individuals or officials are named as targets.

They do not describe the nature, dates or extent of the US use of the base. They do not specify which legal provisions or authorisation procedures are in question.

The reports also give no timeline or possible outcomes for the probe.

Analysis

The opening of a probe does not establish that any law was broken. Based on Reuters' account, the question is whether the government's authorisation was lawful, not the US conduct itself. Several scenarios remain open: the investigation could end without further action, or it could lead to further proceedings. The reports give no indication of which is more likely. Much depends on details the reports do not describe, including the legal provisions at issue, the content of the complaint and the dates of the US use of the base. Responses from Lisbon and Washington, if they come, may clarify the positions involved.

Produced by the Vocemundi newsroom with AI assistance.