The Telegraph online reports that the Knesset yesterday approved a law to permit harsher sentences against those who throw rocks at civilian vehicles. Such incidents have resulted in a number of deaths. The new law will allow Israel’s courts to hand offenders up to 10 years in prison for throwing rocks without proving intent, up to 20 years with intent to harm.

The Daily Express covers the harassment and eventual removal of a pro-Israel stall at the Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival in Dorset, a major event for the trade union movement.

Both the Telegraph and the online edition of the Guardian report that Saudi Arabia’s King Salman has told US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter that he has reservations over the nuclear deal agreed with Iran last week. In particular, he is apparently concerned at provision for verifying Iranian compliance and measures to “snap back” sanctions on Iran if necessary. The Telegraph notes that Israel’s Ambassador to the US, Ron Dermer has met with 30-40 Republican members of the House of Representatives to lobby against the nuclear agreement.

The Financial Times and Guardian online report that senior Obama Administration officials, including US Secretary of State John Kerry and Energy Secretary Moniz are busy lobbying on Capitol Hill to convince Congressmen to approve the deal. However, the Financial Times calls their discussions “tough” while the Guardian online says that there is no sign of a breakthrough with Republican legislators. The Guardian online also covers a 10,000 strong protest yesterday against the deal in New York’s Times Square.

The Independent i says that Iranian leaders are facing the task of selling the nuclear deal to hardliners and that Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has said that Tehran will do “anything” to help its regional allies. The Financial Times reports that Iran is helping to recruit militias in Syria to prop up the Assad regime, which it backs. The Guardian says that Iran is keen to arrange a summit with neighbouring Gulf states sceptical of the nuclear accord. Apparently, Foreign Minister Zarif will travel to Qatar next week.

The Guardian online reports that the Washington Post has petitioned the United Nations over the continued imprisonment and secretive trial of its correspondent Jason Rezaian on the first anniversary of his arrest.

The Times online says that a US air strike in Syria has killed a top leader of the al-Qaeda offshoot Khorosan, who was thought to be plotting an attack on American soil using Western commercial aircraft.

In the Israeli media, Yediot Ahronot leads with the continuing disagreement over the defence budget. A government-appointed committee this week recommended a five-year budget freeze, cuts in military pensions and other measures, which have been virulently opposed by the defence establishment. In a story also reported by Israel Hayom, Defence Minister Moshe Ya’alon apparently refused to meet with the committee’s chair Yohanan Locker.

Fallout from the nuclear deal with Iran continues to attract coverage. Haaretz says that White House officials have warned that rejecting the agreement will endanger Israel’s security. However, Israel Hayom highlights Republican Congressional leader John Boehner’s pledge to do all he can to block the deal. Yediot Ahronot says that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may travel to the United States to help Ambassador Ron Dermer’s efforts to persuade Congressmen to oppose the agreement.

Israel Radio news says that a clash took place last night between the IDF and local Palestinians in Beit Omar, situated in the Gush Etzion region of the West Bank. Apparently, soldiers were attacked as they attempted to carry out and arrest and under attack opened fire, killing one Palestinian and wounding another.