Yemen leads today’s coverage of the Middle East, with many papers seeing the conflict in the country as a symbol of the broader tensions between Sunni Arab states and Iran.

The Daily Mail reports that four Egyptian warships have moved to the Gulf of Aden while Saudi Arabia masses ground troops. The Times reveals that the mission is codenamed “Operation Decisive Storm” and includes some 170 warplanes.

Many papers talk about the wider regional consequences.

The Guardian notes that the Arab alliance in Yemen is an attempt by Sunni states to check the growing regional influence of Iran. An analysis piece by Catherine Philp in the Times notes that the USA is “now unambiguously lined up in combat alongside Iran” over Tikrit in Iraq while supporting Saudi action against Iran in Yemen. The Telegraph, though, reports that several Shiite militias were not part of the push to reclaim Tikrit from ISIL, partly in protest against US airstrikes on the city. The FT lists other countries where Iranian-Saudi rivalry is causing instability, including Bahrain and Lebanon.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani phoned Prime Minister David Cameron yesterday to discuss the ongoing talks about Iran’s nuclear programme, according to the Guardian. AP reports that the P5+1 powers are willing to give Iran a major concession on its once-secret nuclear facility in Fordow, allowing Iran to continue nuclear enrichment there. The FT reports that Israeli Intelligence Minister Yuval Steinitz has been highlighting Israel’s concerns about the emerging deal. Mr Steinitz has reportedly met with diplomats in London and Paris this week to warn that the deal could leave Iran with a path to a bomb within months.

A Guardian leader decries the politicisation of the Iran nuclear talks and stresses that they should be about security and not political gain for any side.

The Daily Mail covers the case of Meni Naftali, the former housekeeper to the Netanyahu family, who is suing the family over allegations of mistreatment. It reports Mr Naftali’s claims that Sarah Netanyahu drinks “about three bottles of champagne a day.”

Several letters in the Guardian oppose boycotts of Israel as a means of achieving peace.

Israeli newspapers focus on negotiations to form Israel’s next government, with coverage in Yediot Ahronot, Maariv, Israel Hayom and Haaretz. The front page of the Jerusalem Post leads on Likud’s warning that if its partners are unwilling to compromise, a unity government could be the result. Haaretz reported that Kulanu leader Moshe Kahlon abandoned his meeting with Likud negotiators yesterday in protest at a reported deal to give United Torah Judaism control of the Knesset Finance Committee.

Haaretz leads on Israel’s decision to apply the state penal code to the West Bank. Israel’s reformed code will give Palestinian suspects more rights and protections in court.

Maariv and Haaretz cover a march by leaders of the Joint List in support of unrecognised Bedoiun villages in the Negev region of Southern Israel. The march called for formal recognition of the villages and the provision of utilities and municipal services.

Haaretz reports that Sheikh Raed Salah was sentenced to 11 months in prison for incitement to racism and incitement to terrorism. Salah, the head of the Islamic Movement Northern Branch, was arrested in the UK in 2011 causing a political and legal row.