Satellite Image Restrictions Raise Alarms Over Iran Coverage

Sat Apr 11 2026 16:13:01 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Concerns mount as Planet Labs limits access to satellite imagery of Iran after US government intervention, affecting journalists and humanitarian efforts.

Planet Labs has imposed indefinite restrictions on satellite imagery of Iran and parts of the Middle East following a request from the US government. This move has raised significant concerns among journalists and humanitarian organizations, as the limitations hinder the assessment of the ongoing situation and damages within the region, particularly related to the US-Israel conflict. The company, which has connections with military contracts, cites security risks as the reason behind the restrictions.

Humanitarian organisations and journalists have expressed concerns after a leading satellite imagery company told its users it was restricting access to images of Iran and large parts of the Middle East following a request from the US government.

California-based Planet Labs initially introduced a 14-day delay on providing new imagery from the region in March. It has since moved to an indefinite restriction.

The decision has limited how journalists, humanitarian groups and analysts can use satellite images to assess the impact of the US-Israel war with Iran, including damage to military targets and civilian infrastructure.

It is unclear what prompted the US to press Planet to suspend its coverage and the Department of Defense did not respond to a request for comment.

Planet initially said its original 14-day delay policy was to ensure our imagery is not tactically leveraged by adversarial actors to target allied and Nato-partner personnel and civilians.

It said in a statement to BBC Verify that it was now switching to a system of managed distribution and would share selected images on a one-off basis until the security risk has abated.

Restrictions appear to extend across most of the Middle East, including Iraq, Lebanon, Israel, and Gaza.

Experts indicate that companies with military contracts may sometimes implement compliance requests due to commercial incentives. BBC Verify has previously used Planet imagery for reporting in the region, including during the current conflict.

However, the new changes mean that images taken after March 9 are no longer routinely available to clients.

Limitations on satellite imagery can severely affect humanitarian and logistical operations, according to charities such as Oxfam, which relies on satellite data for planning and executing aid programs.

As military contracts with companies like Planet grow, so do concerns about government influence and the implications for information transparency in conflict zones.

With alternatives to Planet's services, such as those provided by European organizations, journalists report less effective coverage due to differences in resolution and detail.

Overall, this situation highlights the complex intersections of security, journalism, and humanitarian access in a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape.