EU Imposes 24-Hour Delay on Satellite Images Near Strait of Hormuz at US Request

The European Union has agreed to implement a 24-hour delay on publishing specific satellite images and data from its Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 satellites covering the vicinity of the Strait of Hormuz. This decision responds to a formal request from the United States, which cited security concerns about the Earth observation data potentially posing a threat.

According to the EU Council's resolution, the European Commission was instructed to apply this delay over a defined geographic area forming part of the Gulf of Oman. The annexed map to the decision outlines this zone through five sets of latitude and longitude coordinates, encompassing navigation routes leading into and out of the Strait of Hormuz—a region of strategic importance amid ongoing military tensions between the US and Iran.

Space News obtained a copy of the decision dated July 13 and signed by Council President Kaja Kallas. The existence and adoption of this measure were also confirmed in an official EU Council document dated July 20, although it has not yet been published in the EU’s Official Journal as of the report's preparation.

This move constitutes a notable exception to the free and open data policy upheld by the Copernicus program, the EU's Earth monitoring initiative managing the Sentinel satellite fleet. The decision also impacts European Earth observation companies that have recently promoted themselves as alternatives and competitors to US firms by offering unrestricted access to satellite imagery.

Similar restrictions had previously been imposed by US companies. In early March, following the outbreak of direct military confrontations between Washington and Tehran, the company Planet enforced a 96-hour ban on the immediate release of new images from the region. In April, it informed clients of an indefinite image blackout at the US administration’s request. Maxar’s subsidiary Vantor had also separately applied comparable restrictions.

European Earth observation firms revealed to Space News in May that demand for their services had increased among global energy traders, insurance companies, shipping firms, and media outlets after US companies ceased sharing images of the Arabian Gulf and Iran due to military escalations.

Antoine Rostan, CEO and co-founder of the French environmental intelligence company Keros, praised the European system at that time, stating: "The good news is that in Europe we have the Copernicus program, which has continued operating without any restrictions."

Regarding the Iranian coastline and Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz, the EU's response to inquiries about prior restrictions on Copernicus data indicated that the program’s open data policy includes security-related exceptions.

A European Commission spokesperson explained: "Copernicus operates under a free and open data policy that ensures satellite images are available globally in compliance with applicable regulations and operational considerations. However, this policy allows for restrictions on security grounds." The spokesperson described the delay as "a routine technical measure to mitigate potential security risks, a practice adopted by many satellite operators."

Documents related to the July 13 decision show that the US authorities submitted their request through diplomatic channels on May 26 within the EU’s space threat response framework. This framework authorizes the Council to issue security directives affecting the EU’s space systems.

The Council stated that the time delay was necessary to prevent the exploitation of Copernicus products by third countries or non-governmental entities in ways that could threaten the interests of the EU, its member states, or its regional allies. The proposal received backing from the EU Political and Security Committee on June 10.

The published decision does not specify when the time delay would begin, how long it will remain in effect, or when it will be reviewed.