US Satellite Firm Halts High-Resolution Middle East Imagery at Government Request

US satellite imagery company Planet Labs announced on Saturday that it will stop publishing high-resolution aerial images of the area affected by the ongoing Middle East conflict, following a request from the US government.

The United States and Israel have carried out joint strikes against Iran since late February, prompting daily missile retaliations from the Islamic Republic targeting Israel and neighboring countries across the region.

Planet Labs said the US government asked satellite imagery providers to implement an “indefinite withhold of imagery.” The company explained that, effective retroactively from March 9, 2026, it would move to a managed access model, extending publication delays for all new imagery within the designated area of interest (AOI). Imagery will only be released on a case-by-case basis for urgent, mission-critical requirements or when deemed in the public interest.

The area covered under this directive includes all of Iran, allied bases in the region, Gulf states, and existing conflict zones. Planet Labs, founded in 2010 by former NASA scientists, said it expects the policy to remain in place until the end of the conflict.

Earlier, on March 10, the company had announced a two-week delay in access to its Middle East imagery, extending an initial 96-hour restriction. Vantor, formerly known as Maxar and another major satellite imagery provider, has also implemented similar restrictions.

Under normal conditions, Planet Labs’ images are available to clients within hours of the satellites passing overhead, providing valuable information for media, researchers, and commercial users. The images can also be of interest to militaries seeking intelligence on bases, radar sites, or other strategic targets.

US law allows companies headquartered in the country that operate high-resolution commercial satellite imagery to face restrictions for national security or foreign policy reasons. In practice, satellite data providers operate under licenses and implement restriction protocols to comply with government directives and avoid potential sanctions.

Planet Labs said the decision reflects the heightened security considerations in the current conflict. The company’s imagery has long been a resource for journalists and analysts monitoring geopolitical developments, and the restriction marks a significant limitation for those tracking the Middle East war from afar.

The move comes amid a broader tightening of information access in the region, with multiple governments seeking to control sensitive data that could influence military or diplomatic outcomes. Analysts say the restrictions underline the strategic importance of commercial satellite imagery and its growing role in modern warfare and international monitoring.