US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Thursday that Washington follows established agreements governing the use of its military facilities in Portugal, rejecting claims that the US violated Portuguese sovereignty during military operations against Iran.
Speaking alongside Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel in Lisbon, Rubio said the two countries have clear protocols regulating the presence and activities of US forces at Portuguese bases. He stressed that Washington respects its agreements with Portugal and other NATO allies.
Rubio was responding to questions about an investigation by Portuguese prosecutors and criticism from Amnesty International regarding US military flights through Lajes Air Base in the Azores during the conflict with Iran.
He declined to discuss private diplomatic communications but described US-Portugal relations as strong and regulated, saying Washington would not disregard the sovereignty of an ally.
Rubio also warned countries against becoming excessively dependent on foreign partners, particularly China. Referring to supply disruptions experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic, he said nations should avoid relying heavily on another country for critical goods and services.
He highlighted potential vulnerabilities involving critical minerals, advanced technologies and biotechnology, arguing that excessive dependence could create serious strategic risks.
The US secretary of state also emphasized the growing importance of protecting telecommunications infrastructure. He said foreign investment in communications networks could create opportunities for governments to exert pressure.
Rubio particularly raised concerns about undersea cables, warning that hostile actors could attempt to damage or cut them during conflicts or use them as leverage.
He described Portugal as an important entry point for American technology companies seeking to expand into Europe, citing the country’s undersea infrastructure, relatively affordable energy, mineral resources and data centers.
During his visit to Lisbon, Rubio also met Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro. The US State Department said they discussed the longstanding US-Portugal alliance and their cooperation through NATO.
Rubio thanked Portugal for supporting US forces and discussed opportunities to strengthen defense-industrial cooperation. The two sides also explored expanding bilateral trade and investment through the US-Portugal CEO Forum.
The State Department said Rubio welcomed Portugal’s increasing role as a trusted technology partner for US companies in Europe. He also expressed interest in cooperating with Portugal during its 2027–2028 term on the United Nations Security Council.
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