By Anna Marie Brennan of
Photo: AFP Photo / Β© 2026 Planet Labs PBC
Analysis: When the United States and Israel launched Operation Epic Fury against Iran nearly two weeks ago, the first confirmation did not come from governments. It came from commercial satellites.
Images from US companies Planet Labs and Vantor captured smoke billowing over central Tehran and ships burning at the coastal city of Konarak - evidence of strikes on naval bases, airfields and missile sites that global media confirmed within hours.
But space-based technology was not just observing the conflict, it was also a target.
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