The European Union has agreed to delay publication of certain Copernicus satellite images of shipping routes near the Strait of Hormuz by 24 hours, following a US request. The measure affects timely public scrutiny of the Iran war, as journalists and open-source investigators have relied on the free imagery to assess damage and military activity while official information has become more limited.

The restriction covers Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 imagery of the Gulf of Oman, including routes to and from the Strait of Hormuz, and was approved by the Council of the EU on 13 July after a US request made on 26 May. It comes amid renewed US strikes after a ceasefire collapsed on 8 July; commercial US providers have imposed broader restrictions. The conflict has reportedly killed thousands, disrupted a major energy-shipping corridor, cost the US more than $37 billion, and prompted a further $70 billion funding request.