Eyes are on the Azores airbase of Lajes today, as the international press discusses the possibility of America launching new strikes against Iran ‘after the U.S. and Israeli elections’.
Given that this should take us into the early days of November, it’s unclear why the Portuguese press is so focused today on the base used by America for decades. But state news agency Lusa has reported on the number of KC-46 Pegasus refuelling aircraft, which were beefed considerably on October 11.
As Lusa explains, “days before the US and Israeli attack on Iran on 28 February, the base received 15 of these aircraft, which are capable of refuelling other aircraft in flight.
For months, activity involving these aircraft was intense, with several take-offs and landings daily at Lajes Air Base.
“In September, there was a reduction in the number of these aircraft present, with only six remaining stationed there.
“However, on 11 October, the base once again received a reinforcement similar to that which had taken place in February.
“According to images captured by amateur photographers who regularly track aircraft movements at airports, on Wednesday, eight of these refuelling aircraft departed from Lajes, but only on training missions.
“This increase in military presence at Lajes Air Base comes at a time when the United States has reinforced its military presence in the Middle East by deploying the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt which will join the USS George H. W. Bush and the USS George Washington, already in the region.”
For now, there are 17 KN-46 Pegasus assembled on the tarmac. None of them took off this morning, albeit U.S. military personnel could be seen on board only one of the aircraft, “likely carrying out maintenance work”, says Lusa.
The state news agency refers to the escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz – and to further accusations lobbed by President Trump over the rising price of oil: this time blaming it on Iran ‘trying to harm the Republicans in the November 3 mid-terms‘.
Lusa adds that in an interview with British newspaper the Financial Times yesterday, U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Michael Waltz, admitted that his country could still be in a deadlock in the conflict with Iran a year from now – although he said he was hopeful that, “before then”, Tehran would come to the negotiating table.
Earlier this month, the Portuguese Public Prosecutor’s Office launched an inquiry to investigate the legality of the United States’ use of Lajes Air Base in its conflict with Iran, following a complaint from the Left Bloc.
Prime Minister Luís Montenegro was quick to stress his expressed his “absolutely unshakeable” conviction that the United States’ use of the base has complied with all legal requirements.
Source: LUSA
Natasha Donn
Journalist for the Portugal Resident.