Following a request from the Trump administration, satellite imaging firm Planet Labs announced it will indefinitely withhold visuals of Iran and the broader Middle East conflict zone.
The company stated the restriction, which applies retroactively to imagery dating back to March 9, is intended to prevent “adversaries” from using the aerial data to target the US and its allies. The move comes amid escalating regional hostilities following the joint US-Israeli offensive against Iran that began on February 28.
Moving forward, Planet Labs noted it will switch to a "managed distribution" system, releasing imagery on a case-by-case basis only for urgent, mission-critical requirements or matters of public interest.