Tel Aviv, June 14, SPA -- Israel's sophisticated new spy satellite has begun transmitting images from space, the defense ministry said in a statement Thursday. Israel launched the Ofek-7 satellite into orbit on Monday, giving it a new tool in its efforts to collect intelligence on Iran and others in the region. Israeli space officials said that the Ofek-7 satellite can pick up even small objects from space, and that the information gathered would be shared with the United States. Security officials said all its operating systems werefunctioning as planned and Israel was pleased with theresults thus far. The chief of the Defense Ministry's space program, Haim Eshed, has suggested the satellite could be used to gather information on Iran's nuclear program. The satellite weighs 66 pounds, is 7.5 feet long and willoperate at least four years, Israel Radio reported. --SPA www.spa.gov.sa/458730