The Portuguese Communist Party (PCP) has urged the Portuguese government to condemn aggression towards Iran by the United States and Israel, facilitated by NATO and the European Union, highlighting the escalating conflict in the Middle East, with particular emphasis on the Palestinian genocide. These statements were made by João Frazão, a member of the Political Commission of the Central Committee, at the party’s national headquarters in Lisbon.
Following the United States’ involvement in Israel’s war against Iran, where key facilities of Iran’s nuclear program were bombarded, Frazão pointed out that the Portuguese government’s failure to distance itself from and condemn these actions contradicts the principles of the Portuguese Constitution and condones this warmongering policy, which is a clear affront to international law.
Denouncing those who fuel and support the escalated confrontation and warfare pushing humanity towards disaster, the PCP called on all democrats, patriots, and peace advocates to voice their protest and concern, not to remain indifferent to these aggressive threats, and to continue and expand the struggle for peace and solidarity with the Palestinian people and other victims of imperialist aggression in the Middle East, Frazão urged.
The PCP demands an urgent explanation from the Portuguese government regarding the increased presence of the U.S. Air Force at Lajes Base in the Azores. This issue has prompted the party to submit questions directly to the Prime Minister, Luís Montenegro.
The PCP wants clarification on the role U.S. aircraft based in Terceira Island played in the recent attack and opposes using this base for aggression against Iran, potentially involving Portugal in the conflict.
Frazão emphasized that the Portuguese government should seek peace and dialogue and prevent national territory from being used in any war escalation.
Supporting this militaristic escalation, which could quickly spiral out of control, would be irrational for the Portuguese government, Frazão stated.
He noted that this aggression happened amid “indirect negotiations between Iran and the U.S.” concerning Iran’s nuclear program, which Iranian authorities assert is for peaceful purposes, and argued that dialogue should continue.
If political leaders desire, peace can always be achieved, and dialogue pathways can always be opened; the doors are never closed. Leaders must act, not just proclaim the need for dialogue. The Portuguese government should not only call for dialogue but prevent its territory from being used for this war escalation, Frazão emphasized.
When asked about the Iranian parliament’s recommendation to close the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global trade and economic corridor, with the final decision resting with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Frazão noted that the PCP has been a consistent advocate for national production and ensuring Portuguese food sovereignty.
We have consistently stated — sometimes alone while others watch skeptically, saying there’s no point because we live in a globalized world, he critiqued.
