Press Freedom and Open-Source Intelligence

Commercial satellite operators Planet Labs and Vantor (formerly Maxar) have quietly tightened access to imagery over Iran and parts of the broader Middle East war zone, including areas with U.S. and NATO‑partner bases targeted by Iranian fire, citing fears that fresh pictures could be used for targeting. In a March 9 note to clients, Planet said it is delaying release of all new imagery of Iran, the Persian Gulf, U.S.-allied bases and "existing conflict zones" for 14 days after capture, after what it called "genuine concerns" about adversaries leveraging its data; Vantor said it is limiting who can task or buy imagery over areas where U.S., NATO and other allied forces are operating or under attack. Both firms, which hold active U.S. government contracts, insist they are not responding to a formal government order, but say they consulted U.S. officials and outside experts before imposing controls, and stress they will still provide some imagery to journalists under safeguards. The move marks a sharp break from their role in past conflicts — including Ukraine and Gaza — where near‑real‑time commercial imagery underpinned independent investigations into strikes, destruction and alleged atrocities, and it comes after Planet images were used to document that a Feb. 28 strike in Minab, Iran, likely destroyed parts of a military compound and severely damaged a nearby school. Press‑freedom and open‑source analysts online are already warning that even time‑limited blackout zones around U.S. war operations could make it harder to verify official accounts, investigate civilian casualties, or track escalation in a conflict with major implications for U.S. policy and global security.