Paris, July 24 (QNA) – The European Union today acceded to a request from Washington to delay the publication of satellite imagery covering the Gulf region from its “Copernicus” program by 24 hours.
In a decision published in its Official Journal, the EU explained that the approval comes nearly two weeks after the United States resumed attacks on Iran, a development that has once again heightened tensions in the region. The decision noted that US officials submitted the request to delay the release of the satellite data to the block’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas on May 26. 
The delayed data involves imagery from the Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 satellite constellations covering the Gulf region. 
In a separate development, US President Donald Trump threatened today to impose new tariffs on the European Union and launch a formal trade investigation following Brussels’ recent antitrust fine against Google.
Writing on his Truth Social platform, Trump stated that the bloc “will pay a very big price for this illegal and highly unethical conduct, which I have consistently warned them about,” indicating that “substantial tariffs” would be imposed “at the earliest possible moment.” 
The Council of the European Union concluded in its July 13 meeting that delaying the release of Copernicus satellite images covering the Gulf was “necessary” to ensure the images are not used “by any third State or non-State actor in such a way as to present a threat to the interests of the Union and its Member States in the region or to those of their allies.” (QNA)