Concerns after satellite provider restricts Iran images following US pressure

Concerns after satellite provider restricts Iran images following US pressure

Following a directive from the US government, a major satellite imagery firm has imposed limitations on its coverage of Iran and significant portions of the Middle East, prompting worry among humanitarian groups and media outlets. Based in California, Planet Labs first implemented a 14-day hold on new images from the region in March, later extending the restriction indefinitely. This move has constrained the ability of journalists, aid organizations, and analysts to monitor the effects of the ongoing conflict between the US and Israel in Iran, particularly regarding damage to military installations and civilian facilities.

Planet Labs stated that the initial delay was designed to prevent adversaries from using its imagery to target allied forces and civilians. The company now employs a “managed distribution” approach, releasing selected images on a case-by-case basis until security threats subside. However, the extent of the restrictions remains unclear, with BBC Verify’s access to the portal suggesting the limitation spans most of the Middle East, including Iraq, Lebanon, Israel, and Gaza.

Industry Influence and Commercial Incentives

A satellite imaging expert noted that firms with defense contracts often comply with “voluntary compliance” requests, which may be influenced by commercial interests rather than legal requirements. “Companies like Planet can sometimes act on directives that are actually driven by financial considerations,” the expert told BBC Verify. This dynamic raises questions about the balance between national security and the freedom of access to critical information.

Planet’s business model mirrors that of other firms in the field, with increasing partnerships in the US defense sector. It collaborates with the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency and the US Navy through a subsidiary, while also serving the German and Swedish militaries. In contrast, Vantor (formerly Maxar) limits coverage of US military bases but has not received direct orders from Pentagon officials to suspend imagery of Iran.

Impact on Humanitarian Efforts

“When an entire region goes dark indefinitely, it directly affects [their] ability to plan evacuations, assess damage, document human rights abuses and co-ordinate aid delivery,” said Bill Greer, a geospatial analyst and co-founder of Common Space.

Humanitarian organizations rely heavily on satellite imagery for logistical planning during crises. Oxfam, for instance, used such data to manage its water, sanitation, and hygiene (Wash) initiatives in Gaza, where Planet has also paused coverage. “Satellite services helped us determine if water systems were still functional or destroyed,” explained Magnus Corfixen, Oxfam’s humanitarian lead. “Without this, we would have struggled to allocate resources effectively.”

Similarly, BBC Verify has depended on Planet’s imagery to track changes and damage in Gaza, where Israeli authorities restrict independent media access. While previous delays existed, the current indefinite blackout marks a notable escalation in the impact on reporting. Bill Greer highlighted that the combination of defense contracts and regulatory oversight creates a situation where governments can exert indirect control over satellite companies, blurring the line between voluntary and mandatory compliance.