Lisbon:The United States adheres to bilateral protocols regarding the use of military installations in Portugal, as confirmed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. He dismissed claims that the US had violated allied sovereignty during operations against Iran.

According to Anadolu Agency, Rubio made these comments at a joint event with Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel in Lisbon. He was addressing inquiries about an investigation by the Portuguese public prosecutor and criticism from Amnesty International concerning US military flights through Lajes Air Base during the Iran conflict.

Rubio emphasized the "strong, regulated relationship" with Portugal and assured that the US respects its agreements with NATO allies. He also discussed reducing dependencies on China, highlighting the risks of excessive reliance on external partners, particularly in critical sectors like minerals and technology.

He underscored the importance of safeguarding communications infrastructure, pointing out the vulnerabilities posed by foreign investments in telecommunications and the threats to undersea cables by malicious actors.

Rubio described Portugal as a strategic entry point for US technology companies into Europe, citing its undersea infrastructure and other resources. During his visit, he also met with Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro to discuss the US-Portugal alliance, opportunities for defense-industrial cooperation, and expanding trade and investment.

Rubio expressed gratitude for Portugal's support for US forces and welcomed its role as a trusted American technology partner in Europe. He also looked forward to collaborating with Portugal on the United Nations Security Council for the 2027-2028 term.