Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –
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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News
Lisbon, March 5 (Xinhua) — Portugal did not participate in, monitor, or support the US-Israeli military operation against Iran, Prime Minister Luís Montenegro said Wednesday.
"The Portuguese state defends diplomatic and negotiating channels to ensure international peace," Lusa news agency quoted him as saying.
This is how the prime minister commented on the situation at the Lajes Air Base in the Azores, which is jointly used by Portugal and the United States. Opposition parties and experts are questioning whether proper authorization was obtained for American operations potentially supporting strikes on Iran.
According to the Luza news agency, 15 American KC-46 Pegasus aerial refueling aircraft have been stationed at Lajes Air Base for over a week. Thirteen of the aircraft departed on Sunday, the day after the joint US-Israeli attack on Iran.
The Azores Left Bloc party "strongly" condemned the use of the Lajes air base for US operations related to Iran, criticizing the government's "total subordination" to US interests.
The Socialist Party later called for parliament to demand that the government clarify the legal basis for the recent US troop movements at the Lajes base.
According to the Defense Cooperation Treaty between Portugal and the United States, any use of the Lajes base by the United States outside the framework of NATO or other international organizations supported by Portugal requires prior authorization. –0–
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