Satellite imagery provider restricted access to Iran images under US pressure - BBC

Humanitarian organizations and journalists have expressed concern after a leading satellite imagery company informed its users about restrictions on access to images of Iran and a significant part of the Middle East at the request of the US government, BBC reports, writes UNN.

Details

California-based Planet Labs initially imposed a 14-day delay in providing new images from the region in March. Since then, it has moved to an "indefinite" restriction.

This decision has limited the ability of journalists, humanitarian organizations, and analysts to use satellite imagery to assess the consequences of the US and Israel's war with Iran, including damage to military targets and civilian infrastructure.

It is unclear what prompted the US to pressure Planet to cease coverage, and the US Department of Defense did not respond to a request for comment.

Planet initially stated that its original 14-day delay policy was "to ensure that our imagery is not used for tactical purposes by adversaries to strike allied and NATO partner personnel and civilians."

In a statement to BBC Verify, the company said it was moving to a "managed dissemination" system and would share individual images "on a one-off basis until the security risk subsides."

It declined to say how extensive the restrictions were. But, judging by BBC Verify's access to the portal, they appear to extend to much of the Middle East, including Iraq, Lebanon, Israel, and Gaza.

One satellite imagery expert told BBC Verify that companies like Planet, which have military contracts, can sometimes fulfill "voluntary compliance" requests that are actually "driven by commercial incentives."

BBC Verify has used Planet's images from across the Middle East in its reporting, including since the start of the war in Iran in late February, for example, when the US struck a school in the Iranian city of Minab.

Now, the changes mean that images taken after March 9 are no longer regularly available to the company's customers.

US strikes on Iran could cost the American economy $210 billion03.03.26, 10:34 • 6837 views