Concerns after satellite provider restricts Iran images following US pressure

Restrictions Imposed on Satellite Coverage

Humanitarian groups and media outlets have raised alarms over a major satellite imagery firm limiting access to visuals of Iran and vast areas of the Middle East. The move comes after the U.S. government requested Planet Labs to pause its coverage of the region. Based in California, Planet Labs first imposed a 14-day delay on new images from the area in March, but has since transitioned to an indefinite restriction.

This change hampers the ability of journalists, aid agencies, and analysts to use satellite data for evaluating the consequences of the ongoing U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran. The impact includes tracking damage to military sites and civilian facilities. However, the exact reason behind the U.S. prompting Planet Labs to halt coverage remains unclear, as the Department of Defense did not provide a comment when asked.

Business Model and Government Influence

Planet Labs stated that its initial 14-day delay was intended to prevent adversaries from using its imagery to attack allied forces and civilians. The company later shifted to a “managed distribution” approach, sharing only selected images on a one-off basis until the security threat diminishes. It did not specify the full scope of the restrictions, though BBC Verify’s access to the portal suggests the blackout applies to most of the Middle East, including Iraq, Lebanon, Israel, and Gaza.

“Companies like Planet that hold military contracts may adopt ‘voluntary compliance’ driven by commercial incentives, not legal mandates,” remarked Bill Greer, a geospatial analyst. He added that when a government is both a major customer and regulator, the distinction between voluntary and mandatory actions becomes blurred.

Greer highlighted the effect on humanitarian efforts. “An indefinite blackout across an entire region undermines the ability to plan evacuations, evaluate damage, document abuses, and coordinate aid,” he said. Oxfam, for instance, utilized satellite data to organize logistics during conflicts and disasters. Its operations in Gaza, where Planet has also suspended coverage, relied on imagery to track water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) programs. “Without in-person access, we depended on satellite views to determine if critical systems were intact or destroyed,” explained Magnus Corfixen, Oxfam’s humanitarian lead.

Similarly, BBC Verify has used Planet’s imagery to report on Gaza’s conditions, as Israel blocks independent media entry. While image delays in Gaza were common before, the current indefinite restriction marks a significant escalation. The company’s business model, which includes partnerships with U.S. defense agencies like the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency and the Navy, underscores its growing role in military operations. Other firms, such as Vantor (formerly Maxar), also limit coverage of U.S. bases but denied being ordered to restrict Iran images by Pentagon officials.