Concerns after satellite provider restricts Iran images following US pressure

Concerns after satellite provider restricts Iran images following US pressure

Humanitarian groups and media outlets have voiced worries after a prominent satellite imaging firm began limiting access to visuals of Iran and significant portions of the Middle East, reportedly at the behest of the U.S. government. Based in California, Planet Labs initially imposed a 14-day pause on releasing new images from the region in March, later shifting to an “indefinite” restriction. This move has hindered the ability of journalists, aid organizations, and analysts to utilize satellite data in evaluating the consequences of the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran, such as the destruction of military installations and civilian facilities.

The exact reason for the U.S. urging Planet to halt coverage remains unspecified, with the Department of Defense declining to comment when asked. Planet explained its original delay as a measure to prevent adversaries from using its imagery to target allied forces and civilians. It further stated that it was transitioning to a “managed distribution” model, sharing only selected images “on a one-off basis” until the security threat diminishes. The company did not clarify the scope of the restrictions, but BBC Verify’s access to the platform suggests the ban applies broadly across the Middle East, encompassing Iraq, Lebanon, Israel, and Gaza.

“The changes mean images captured after 9 March are no longer routinely available to clients,” noted BBC Verify, highlighting the impact of the new policy.

Some experts argue that companies like Planet, which have military contracts, might adopt “voluntary compliance” measures influenced by commercial interests rather than legal obligations. Benjamin Strick, an investigative journalist with experience at CNN, the Financial Times, and the BBC, emphasized the critical role of satellite imagery in reporting on conflict zones and restricted areas. “In regions where reporters cannot safely operate or where information is tightly controlled, satellite data becomes essential,” he said.

Bill Greer, a former Maxar employee and founder of the non-profit Common Space, pointed out that defense contracts grant governments considerable sway over satellite firms. “Voluntary compliance often blurs into necessity when the largest customer is also the regulatory authority,” he explained to BBC Verify. The restrictions have also disrupted humanitarian efforts, as noted by Magnus Corfixen, Oxfam’s humanitarian lead. “When an entire region is blocked indefinitely, it hampers evacuation planning, damage assessment, and aid coordination,” he stated.

“We relied on satellite imagery to determine if water systems in Gaza were operational or damaged,” Corfixen added, illustrating how the firm’s suspension of coverage in Gaza affected logistics for their water, sanitation, and hygiene (Wash) initiatives.

Previously, there were delays in Gaza imagery, but this indefinite ban represents a more severe disruption. Todd Harrison, a senior fellow at a research institute, commented on the broader implications of such measures, though his full statement was cut short in the source text.