Firm says transfer amid US-Israel battle on Iran comes after a request from the US authorities.
Revealed On 5 Apr 2026
Satellite tv for pc imaging firm Planet Labs has stated it can indefinitely withhold visuals of Iran and the area of battle within the Center East to adjust to a request from United States President Donald Trump’s administration.
The US firm introduced the choice in an electronic mail to prospects on Saturday, with information businesses quoting it as saying the federal government had requested satellite tv for pc imagery suppliers to impose an “indefinite withhold of images”.
The restriction expands upon a 14-day delay on imagery of the Center East that Planet Labs applied final month, which extended an initial 96-hour delay, a transfer the agency stated was meant to stop adversaries from utilizing the imagery to assault the US and its allies.
Planet Labs stated it can withhold imagery courting again to March 9 and that it expects the coverage to stay in impact till the tip of the battle, which started on February 28 when the US and Israel launched aerial assaults towards Iran. The battle has since unfold throughout the area, with Iran firing missile and drone barrages at Israel and US property, in addition to civilian infrastructure throughout the Gulf.
Planet Labs, which was based in 2010 by former NASA scientists, stated in its electronic mail to prospects that it could swap to a “managed distribution of photos” deemed not to pose a danger to security.
Beneath a brand new system, Planet Labs will launch imagery on a case-by-case foundation for pressing, mission-critical necessities or within the public curiosity.
“These are extraordinary circumstances, and we’re doing all we are able to to steadiness the wants of all our stakeholders,” the California-based firm was quoted as saying.
Army makes use of of satellite tv for pc expertise embrace goal identification, weapons steerage, missile monitoring and communications. Some area specialists say Iran may very well be accessing industrial imagery, together with photos obtained through US adversaries. Satellite tv for pc photos additionally assist journalists and teachers learning hard-to-reach locations.
