In the UK and international media today, Reuters notes that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed yesterday that Iran has started enriching uranium at an underground site near the city of Qom. The Times notes that an Israeli think-tank is planning a scenario for the day after Iran launches a nuclear weapons test. Meanwhile, the Guardian and Financial Times note that veteran Israeli journalist Yair Lapid has announced that he will enter Israeli politics and form a new political party. The Independent carries a piece on the fight for women’s rights in Israel among ultra-religious groups. BBC Online and Reuters note that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is to deliver a public address about internal issues and regional developments.

On the Israeli front pages today, all papers note that Noam Shalit, the father of freed IDF soldier Gilad, has announced his intention to enter Israeli politics as part of the Labour party. The Jerusalem Post leads with the confirmation by the IAEA that Iran has started enriching uranium at an underground facility.

In other news, Haaretz reports that PM Netanyahu is considering a series of goodwill gestures for the Palestinians to build momentum towards peace talks. IBA Radio reports that the Jordanian Foreign Ministry called talks between Israeli and Palestinian officials yesterday in Amman “open and frank”.