Israel is to launch a spy satellite which will double the resolution of its images, keeping a close watch on Iran, Channel 10 television reported on Wednesday.

It said the satellite, built by Israeli firm Elbit and due for launch soon, would be able to take high resolution images from an altitude of 600 kilometres (360 miles).

The main task would be to keep a watch on Iran's controversial nuclear programme sites and its possible arms shipments to Lebanon's Shiite militia Hezbollah, according to the report.