Concerns after satellite provider restricts Iran images following US pressure

Concerns after Satellite Provider Restricts Iran Images under US Pressure

Humanitarian groups and media professionals raised alarms after Planet Labs, a major satellite imaging firm, began limiting access to images of Iran and significant portions of the Middle East. The company, based in California, initially imposed a 14-day delay on new regional imagery in March, but has since shifted to an indefinite restriction. This move has hindered journalists and analysts from tracking the effects of the US-Israel conflict on military sites and civilian facilities.

Planet stated that the delay was intended to prevent adversaries from using its imagery to target allied forces and civilians. However, the company now employs a “managed distribution” approach, releasing only selected images on a case-by-case basis until security threats subside. While it did not specify the full scope of the restrictions, BBC Verify’s access to the platform suggests the limitation applies broadly across the Middle East, including Iraq, Lebanon, Israel, and Gaza.

Expert Insight on Government Influence

Bill Greer, a former Maxar employee and co-founder of Common Space, highlighted how defense contracts can give governments leverage over satellite firms. “Voluntary compliance driven by commercial incentives often blurs the line with legal obligations,” he noted. Greer emphasized that when a country’s regulatory authority is also a key client, pressure to adjust coverage can feel less like a mandate and more like a shared interest.

“When an entire region goes dark indefinitely, it directly affects [their] ability to plan evacuations, assess damage, document human rights abuses and coordinate aid delivery,” Greer said.

Meanwhile, Oxfam shared how satellite imagery was critical for its operations in Gaza, where Planet has also suspended coverage. The charity’s logistics planning during active conflicts relied on these images to determine whether water systems were functional or damaged. “We couldn’t access these systems in person,” explained Magnus Corfixen, Oxfam’s humanitarian lead. “Satellite services helped us decide what equipment to bring into the Strip.”

Previously, delays in Gaza imagery were common, but the current indefinite block represents a more severe disruption. BBC Verify has used Planet’s data for reporting, including documenting a US strike on a school in Minab, Iran, which occurred at the end of February. With the new policy, images from after March 9 are no longer routinely available to clients, impacting real-time analysis of events.

Industry Context and Military Collaborations

Planet’s business model aligns with other firms in the sector, which have expanded partnerships with US defense agencies. These include the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency and the Navy through a subsidiary. The company also collaborates with German and Swedish military forces. Vantor, formerly Maxar, has similar contracts with the Army and Space Force, though it stated it was not directed by Pentagon officials to limit Iran coverage.

Such collaborations underscore how satellite services can serve dual purposes—both for public monitoring and military intelligence. As investigative journalist Benjamin Strick noted, satellite imagery is vital in conflict zones, disasters, and areas with restricted access. “It’s especially crucial when reporters can’t safely reach the scene or where information is tightly controlled,” he said.

These changes have sparked debate over the balance between national security and transparency. While Planet cites commercial motivations, the broader implications for humanitarian efforts and media reporting remain a point of contention.