Satellite imaging company Planet Labs said on Saturday that it would indefinitely suspend the release of satellite images of Iran and conflict areas in the Middle East at the request of the U.S. government. California-based Planet Labs announced the decision in an email to customers and said the U.S. government has asked all satellite imagery providers to indefinitely suspend the release of imagery from the conflict zone.
The restriction is an upgrade from the company's 14-day delay in the release of Middle East imagery implemented last month. Planet Labs said this move is aimed at preventing enemies from using relevant images to attack the United States and its allies.
Planet Labs said it will suspend the release of relevant imagery since March 9 and expects this policy to continue until the conflict is over.
The conflict began when the United States and Israel launched an attack on Iran on February 28. Iran then retaliated and launched attacks on Israel and US military bases in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain and other Gulf countries. The conflict spread throughout the region.
