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Planet Imposes 14-Day Hold on Middle East Imagery as Vantor Adds Controls

The companies cite operational security concerns after consulting U.S. experts to prevent tactical misuse.

Images satellites montrant des dégâts sur une sélection de quatre sites militaires américains ou accueillant du personnel américain au Moyen-Orient dans le contexte des frappes iraniennes depuis le 28 février 2026

Overview

  • Planet is blocking high-resolution coverage of all Iran, nearby allied bases, Gulf states and existing conflict zones for 14 days.
  • Clients now see Planet’s latest high-resolution images from much of the region dating at best to March 6, according to AFP.
  • The move extends last week’s 96-hour delay and follows the firm’s conflict-era restrictions that previously included a Gaza-specific 30-day lag with on-demand tasking.
  • Vantor, formerly Maxar, says it has activated access controls in parts of the Middle East and maintains a longstanding policy limiting distribution of U.S. and allied base imagery.
  • U.S. licensing allows security-driven limits, and providers say curbs aim to protect allied forces and civilians as other actors can obtain imagery from non-U.S. sources.