US-Israel-Iran War Live News: Portuguese prosecutors have opened a probe into the legality of the center-right government’s decision to authorize the United States military’s use of Lajes Air Base in the Azores during the conflict with Iran. The investigation, announced by the Prosecutor General’s Office on October 3, 2026, stems from a formal complaint filed in April by members of the opposition Left Bloc party.
US-Israel-Iran War Live News: Details of the Probe
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The Legal Context: Under a longstanding bilateral defense treaty dating back to 1951, Washington can use the strategic transit hub without prior authorization during peacetime. However, Portuguese law mandates that the government must explicitly grant approval once formal hostilities begin.
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The Controversy: Unlike neighboring Spain, Portugal’s government permitted several U.S. military transit flights through Lajes Air Base after the conflict started. This decision drew heavy domestic criticism from left-wing parties, sparking intense debate over Lisbon’s role in the war.
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The Complaint: Representatives from the Left Bloc argue that authorizing these transit flights amounts to a “gross violation of international law” and Portuguese domestic law.
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Prosecutorial Mandate: In Portugal, prosecutors operate under the “principle of legality,” legally requiring them to investigate potential wrongdoing whenever there are sufficient grounds, leaving them less discretion to dismiss high-profile political cases compared to other jurisdictions.
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