Planet Labs, a major commercial satellite imaging provider, announced it is restricting coverage of Iran and portions of the Middle East indefinitely following pressure from US authorities.

The satellite company's decision comes amid heightened tensions in the region and ongoing concerns about monitoring energy infrastructure damage across the Middle East. Planet Labs has not specified the exact scope of the geographical restrictions or provided a timeline for when normal coverage might resume.

The restriction on satellite imagery access could impact various sectors that rely on commercial satellite data for monitoring regional developments, including energy companies, research institutions, and news organizations that use such imagery for reporting on infrastructure and conflict zones.

Planet Labs operates one of the world's largest fleets of commercial Earth-imaging satellites, providing daily global coverage that has become increasingly important for tracking developments in sensitive regions. The company's imagery has been widely used to monitor military movements, infrastructure changes, and environmental conditions worldwide.

The US government has previously imposed various restrictions on satellite imagery and technology exports to Iran as part of broader sanctions regimes. Commercial satellite companies must navigate complex regulatory requirements when providing services that could potentially be used to monitor sensitive locations or activities.