Satellite firm pauses imagery after revealing Iran's attacks on US bases

[LiberalArkie]

MAR 6, 2026 4:49 PM

Planet Labs, one of the world’s leading commercial satellite imaging companies, said Friday it is placing a hold on releasing imagery of some parts of the Middle East as a regional war enters its second week.

The company, which brands itself as Planet, operates a fleet of several hundred Earth-imaging satellites designed to record views of every landmass on Earth at least once per day. Its customers include think tanks, NGOs, academic institutions, news media, and commercial users in the agriculture, forestry, and energy industries, among others.

Planet also holds lucrative contracts selling overhead imagery to the US military and US government intelligence agencies.

“In response to the conflict in the Middle East, Planet is implementing temporary restrictions on data access within specific areas of the affected region,” Planet said in a statement emailed to Ars. “Effective immediately, all new imagery collected over the Gulf States, Iraq, Kuwait, and adjacent conflict zones will be subject to a mandatory 96-hour delay before it is made available in our archive.”





Snip

https://arstechnica.com/space/2026/03/satellite-firm-pauses-imagery-after-revealing-irans-attacks-on-us-bases/

[marble falls]

1. Didn't fit the narrative.

[SheltieLover]

3. Exactly

[dalton99a]

2. Of course.

[Prairie Gates]

4. They are not hiding damage assessments from the Iranians, who know perfectly well what they hit

But from the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times, and, ultimately, from the US public.

It's clear that the military is not going to reveal anything about the war to the US public.

[ForgedCrank]

10. Of course

they are. Making it easy for the enemy to do damage assessments without even having to leave home isn't productive for us. It's a war, and the public can't know everything as it creates security issues in theater. Yea, they can find out using other methods, but they'll have to work a lot harder to get it and that's the point.
From what I've seen, they've blown up about a ~half-dozen antennas and a few maint bays or office facilities that were long ago evacuated. None of that will even put a dent in our operational capabilities, but it makes for good TV for the adversary.

[CincyDem]

5. I've watched enough spy movies to take a different point of view...

Simply put, Iranians can be customers of this service too. Why help them with timely data on tactical US resource movement.

This is a delay, not a cessation of imagery.

To be clear, I’m a million percent against these attacks and even more against the idea of boots on the ground. And, at the same time, I think most of us would say we have zero percent interest in putting those boots in harms way. (I know…best way is to NOT send them but once they’re there, protect them).

Net, I’m ok with this. I’ll wait four days to get the story of what happened where. I’ll don my hard hat and safety glasses now.

[LiberalArkie]

6. Iran is already getting the realtime images from the same kind of service from Russian and Chinese satellites

[EX500rider]

7. I seriously doubt they are getting all the imagery they want when they want it

Russia has a urgent need to keep most their recon sat's tasked with watching the Ukr. war and it's unknown that I have heard of if China is providing anything.

[artemisia1]

8. Really? Then why is Iran's targeting substantially better this time around then it was in the 12 Day War? China is

determined to fulfill their "Belt and Road" initiative and the fall of Iran will effectively destroy this. Of course they are helping and have a multi-billion dollar spy ship in the theatre.

[EX500rider]

9. Having target locations and having timely accurate battle damage assessment are 2 different things

And during the 12 day war most of their targeting was at Israel who has better air defenses then the Gulf States.

China has a "spy ship" where exactly? I highly doubt in the Gulf.

[artemisia1]

12. Chinese spy ships are in the Arabian Sea near the Gulf of Oman which, being near U.S. bases in the GCC States

makes it more useful than in the Persian Gulf.

Iran has destroyed one expensive U.S. radar system after another. Sorry, but wishful thinking or a personal agenda does not change evidence. You referenced learning from "spy movies". That is not research or actual knowledge.

[EX500rider]

14. Iran does not require spy ships or recent Russian satellite imagery to know where highly visible...

.....and high electromagnetic output radar systems are.
I could find them myself on Google Earth if I wanted.

You referenced learning from "spy movies"
I did no such thing, maybe you are confusing me with another poster.

And a Chinese "spy ship" (most likely a electronic spectrum snooper) is useless for BDA.
Unless it it close enough to take photos..lol And being 1,000 miles+- away from Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar that's unlikely.

[NJCher]

15. see post 5, Cincy Dem

that's who he's mixing you up with.

[artemisia1]

17. My mistake. Apologies.

[LiberalArkie]

11. UHH..A Chinese ship near the Gulf of Oman is reportedly giving real-time intelligence to Iran.

A good thread on this..

Post by @reportertribune

View on Threads

The Chinese Ship — What's Been Reported

At Tehran's request, Beijing sent the PLA Navy's electronic intelligence ship, the Liaowang-1, to the Gulf of Oman. The vessel reportedly collects and analyzes hard-to-intercept data, including the electromagnetic signatures of fifth-generation stealth fighters, and pinpoints the precise location of US military infrastructure. Its objectives reportedly include analyzing and tracking F-22 and F-35 fighters and identifying the operating frequencies of EA-18 Growler electronic warfare aircraft. Topcor

China's satellite fleet, comprising more than 500 operational military and civilian dual-use satellites, reportedly forms the backbone of an intelligence-sharing structure with Iran. Analysts describe the arrangement as a division of roles — Chinese space-based assets supporting Iran's regional strike capabilities — characterizing the cooperation as "eyes and fist." Defence Industry Europe

[artemisia1]

13. Thanks. Real research trumps learning from "spy movies"... /nt

[Maru Kitteh]

16. Hope is not a method. China and Russia will not miss the opportunity to screw us.

Evidence suggests they are doing a pretty good job of providing the imagery and intel.