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Israel has launched a surveillance satellite that will be used to spy on Iran’s nuclear programme, reports say. (24)The satellite’s high resolution camera would significantly boost Israel’s intelligence gathering, officials told local media. Israel’s defence ministry said the Ofek 9 was launched from Palmachim air force base on its south coast near Tel Aviv. (25) It is one of at least four Israeli spy satellites currently orbiting the Earth. Israeli press reports said the satellite’s high resolution cameras would boost its efforts to keep a close eye on Iran. Along with the West, Israel suspects Iran of trying to develop nuclear weapons under the guise of a civilian nuclear programme, a claim Tehran denies. (26) Israel’s last spy satellite, TecSar, was launched from India in 2008. Besides spy satellites, Israel also has a number of communications satellites in orbit.