Luxembourg, June 15, 2026 (Lusa) - The minister of foreign affairs stated on Monday that Portugal will fall in line with the EU should it decide to lift sanctions on Iran, and considered that the conditions are in place for a better agreement on Iran’s nuclear programme than in 2015.
Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of a meeting of ministers of foreign affairs in Luxembourg, Paulo Rangel welcomed the memorandum of understanding reached last night between the United States and Iran, saying he hoped it could be “a catalyst for a new phase in which, beyond the ceasefire, there is the possibility of building a lasting solution for the Middle East”.
Asked whether he believed the conditions currently existed to negotiate a better nuclear deal with Iran than the one reached in 2015, the minister of foreign affairs replied: “I am absolutely convinced that they do.”
“The circumstances are very different and, therefore, these are circumstances that will bring about an agreement which could then lead to a new order in the Middle East,” he argued.
Rangel considered that, in the immediate term, the important thing is “to halt all hostilities, restore security, reopen the Strait of Hormuz” and then “begin the programme to dismantle Iran’s nuclear capabilities”.
"And, with that, to create a new order in relations as well because, obviously, this crisis has not only created the economic problems we are seeing and the high political tension, it has created great mistrust between countries in the Gulf region. And so, it is necessary to restore that new trust through a new order," he said.
Asked whether Portugal would support lifting of European Union (EU) sanctions on Tehran should the regime abandon its nuclear programme, as suggested today by France, the United Kingdom and Italy, Paulo Rangel noted that “the United States is also willing to do so”.
“And, obviously, Portugal will align itself with the EU on this matter. We have said this since the beginning of the conflict: we have always been in favour of a diplomatic solution,” he noted.
Asked how Portugal might participate in the Franco-German initiative to ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, Paulo Rangel said he did not wish to discuss the “exact nature” of Portugal’s contribution and considered it premature to speak on the matter at this stage.
“There will now be contacts from our French and British colleagues. There will probably be some mission by this group in the area of mine clearance – that is highly likely – but we have to wait for the exact terms of the memorandum of understanding,” he stated.
The Portuguese foreign minister recalled that Portugal has been following this initiative from the outset, “expressing its willingness to cooperate”, but considered it premature to discuss details at this stage.
“It will also involve a contribution from the Ministry of Defence and the Portuguese armed forces, if that is the case, and so, naturally, I am not going to discuss that here now, not least because it has not yet been finalised,” he said.
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