US military aircraft appeared on the tarmac of the Lajes Air Base in Portugal as Washington ramps up regional presence amid escalating tensions with Iran. The sightings came after US President Donald Trump signalled a possible limited strike on Iran to pressure it into making a deal on its nuclear programme.
As per local media reports, Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo Sousa acknowledged that the Portuguese government is monitoring “closely and with full knowledge of the facts" the use of Lajes Air Base in Terceira, Azores, by the United States.
“The Minister of State and Foreign Affairs [Paulo Rangel] informed me a week ago of the possibility that Lajes Air Base could be used under the terms of the existing agreement between Portugal and the United States of America," he said on Friday.
On Wednesday, the Air Base saw 11 KC-46A Pegasus aerial refuelling tankers, 12 F-16 Viper fighter jets and one C-17 Globemaster III tactical airlift aircraft capable of rapid, worldwide delivery of troops and cargo. The Pentagon said, “US European Command routinely hosts transient US military aircraft and personnel in accordance with access, basing, and overflight agreements with allies and partners."
US military aircraft were seen at Lajes Air Base in Portugal as the US increased its regional presence while tensions with Iran risehttps://t.co/uf9Bs2KZubpic.twitter.com/czCjckTGJr— Reuters (@Reuters)February 21, 2026
Military analysts drew parallels with the US military’s Operation Midnight Hammer, during which Lajes served as the critical refuelling hub for the B-2 Spirit stealth bombers that carried out airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities last June.
ALSO READ:Trump Presented Plan To Kill Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei, Son In Targeted Strike: Report
Massive Military Buildup Near Iran
Trump has deployed warships, fighter jets and other military hardware to the Middle East as he seeks to block Iran from building a nuclear bomb. Several reports suggested that the US military would be ready to launch strikes against Iran as early as this weekend.
The US has deployed more than 120 aircraft, including F-22 Raptors, F-16 “Viper" fighter jets and F-35A Lightning IIs. The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Gerald R Ford also arrived at the Mediterranean via the Strait of Gibraltar.
Source: World News in news18.com, World Latest News, World News
