TEL AVIV (AP) - Israel's military launched a spy satellite early Monday, the Defense Ministry said, and a senior official suggested it could help keep track of developments in Iran.

The Ofek 7 satellite was "launched and successfully injected into orbit," the ministry said in a statement. Israel's Army Radio said its resolution was high enough to detect objects of 28 inches on the ground.

The satellite weighs 66 pounds, is 7.5 feet long and will operate at least four years, Israel Radio reported.