Concerns after satellite provider restricts Iran images following US pressure

Satellite imagery access to Iran and Middle East restricted under US pressure, sparking concerns

Concerns have emerged as a major satellite imagery provider imposed restrictions on Iran and much of the Middle East, reportedly under US government pressure. Based in California, Planet Labs initially implemented a 14-day hold on new images from the region in March, later escalating to an indefinite blackout. This change has hindered journalists and humanitarian organizations from utilizing satellite data to evaluate the consequences of the US-Israel conflict involving Iran, including damage to military sites and civilian infrastructure.

The exact reason for the US’s directive to Planet remains unclear, with the Department of Defense declining to comment when asked. Planet explained its original delay policy as a measure to “prevent adversaries from tactically exploiting imagery to target allies and NATO partners, including civilians.” It now operates a “managed distribution” system, sharing selected images “on a one-off basis until the security risk has abated.” The scope of the restrictions was not specified, though BBC Verify’s access to the portal suggests coverage extends across Iraq, Lebanon, Israel, and Gaza.

“What we’re seeing now is voluntary compliance driven by commercial incentive structures, not legal mandates,”

noted Bill Greer, a geospatial analyst who previously worked at Maxar and co-founded the non-profit satellite service Common Space. He highlighted that defense contracts often grant governments significant influence over companies like Planet, blurring the line between voluntary and involuntary actions. Greer added that indefinite image restrictions directly impact humanitarian groups’ ability to plan evacuations, assess damage, document abuses, and coordinate aid.

Satellite imagery has become essential for reporting in conflict zones, according to Benjamin Strick, an investigative journalist with experience at CNN, the Financial Times, and the BBC. He emphasized its role in areas where journalists cannot access scenes safely or where information is tightly controlled. The changes now mean images taken after 9 March are no longer routinely available to Planet’s clients, marking a significant shift in their service.

Humanitarian groups, such as Oxfam, rely on satellite data for logistics during active conflicts. Magnus Corfixen, Oxfam’s humanitarian lead, explained that in Gaza—where Planet has also suspended coverage—imagery helped track the status of water systems. “We couldn’t access these water systems in person,” he said. “So we used satellite data to determine if they were operational or destroyed.” Based on this, Oxfam planned equipment transportation into the Strip. Prior delays in Gaza imagery existed, but this indefinite blackout represents a new level of impact.

Other providers, like Vantor (formerly Maxar), also limit coverage of US military bases under contracts with the Army and Space Force. However, Vantor stated it had not received direct orders from Pentagon officials to restrict Iran’s images. Despite this, the broader trend reflects growing government influence over satellite companies, shaping their operational choices in real-time.