Concerns after satellite provider restricts Iran images following US pressure

Concerns after satellite provider restricts Iran images following US pressure

Restriction impacts media and aid groups

Humanitarian groups and journalists have raised alarms after a major satellite imagery firm announced it was limiting access to photos of Iran and much of the Middle East. The decision came after the US government requested a reduction in coverage from the company, Planet Labs, which is based in California. Initially, the firm implemented a 14-day delay on new images from the region in March, but has since shifted to an indefinite block.

This move has constrained the ability of media outlets, aid organizations, and analysts to monitor the effects of the ongoing conflict between the US and Iran, including damage to military installations and civilian facilities. However, the specific reasons behind the US’s demand for this restriction remain unclear, as the Department of Defense did not comment on the request.

Planet’s rationale and restricted zones

Planet Labs initially cited its 14-day delay policy as a way to prevent adversaries from using its imagery to target US allies and civilians. In a statement to BBC Verify, the company explained it was now adopting a “managed distribution” approach, sharing only selected images “on a one-off basis until the security risk has diminished.” It did not specify the full scope of the restrictions, but BBC Verify’s access to the platform suggests the ban applies to most of the Middle East, including Iraq, Lebanon, Israel, and Gaza.

“What we’re seeing now is voluntary compliance driven by commercial incentive structures, not legal mandates,” said Bill Greer, a geospatial analyst who co-founded Common Space. “When your largest customer is also the government that regulates you, the line between voluntary and involuntary gets very thin.”

Role of satellite imagery in reporting

Investigative journalist Benjamin Strick emphasized the critical role satellite imagery plays in documenting events in conflict zones, disasters, and areas with restricted access. “This is especially true for regions where reporters cannot safely enter or where information is tightly controlled,” he stated in a quote for BBC Verify.

Planet’s business model aligns with other firms in the industry, which are increasingly partnering with defense agencies. It collaborates with the US National Geospatial Intelligence Agency and the US Navy through a subsidiary, as well as the German and Swedish militaries. Meanwhile, Vantor, previously known as Maxar, has contracts with the US Army and Space Force and curtails coverage of US bases. However, it recently told Reuters it had not received direct orders from Pentagon officials to limit images of Iran.

Humanitarian impact of the blackout

Humanitarian groups have also been affected by the image restrictions. Bill Greer pointed out that such limitations hinder their ability to plan evacuations, evaluate damage, and coordinate aid efforts. The charity Oxfam highlighted its use of satellite data in Gaza to manage its water, sanitation, and hygiene (Wash) program. Magnus Corfixen, Oxfam’s humanitarian lead, noted that the service allowed the group to determine if water systems were still functioning during the conflict.

“We couldn’t access these water systems in person,” Corfixen explained. “So we used satellite imagery to see whether they were still operational or had been destroyed.”

Previously, there were delays in Gaza imagery, but the indefinite blackout represents a significant escalation. BBC Verify has relied on such data to report on changes and damage in the region, as Israel restricts independent media entry into the territory. The new restrictions could complicate efforts to track developments in real time.