The first press conference of newly-inaugurated Iranian President Hassan Rowhani is covered by the Guardian, Telegraph, Independent i, Financial Times and the online edition of the Independent. Rowhani said that there is “political will” to resolve the international concerns over Iran’s nuclear development and pledged readiness for “interaction and talks, with seriousness.” The US State Department responded by saying that the ball is in Iran’s court to take “credible steps” to demonstrate that it is addressing concerns. The Telegraph says that Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu greeted Rowhani’s comments with deep scepticism and said that only international pressure will keep Iran’s nuclear ambitions in check.

Meanwhile, the Times and the online editions of the Telegraph and Financial Times report that Syrian rebels have captured the Mannagh military airbase in Aleppo province from President Assad’s forces. Opposition groups have suffered a series of military defeats of late at the hands of Assad’s troops backed by Hezbollah fighters. However, both the Times and Financial Times online highlight that rebels affiliated to al-Qaeda played a significant role in helping opposition forces win control of the airbase.

The Guardian covers the visit of a US Congressional delegation to Egypt, led by Senator John McCain, aimed at helping bring about reconciliation between the country’s military rulers and supporters of ousted leader Mohammed Morsi. In public comments yesterday, McCain became the first US official to describe Morsi’s ouster as a “coup,” a term which the Obama administration has been careful to refrain from using, as it could impact the legality of US aid to Egypt. The Times reports that Saudi Arabia could offer Morsi a safe haven in a bid to find a peaceful solution to the stand-off between his supporters and the military.

The Independent and its sister publication Independent i cover protests last week in Israel against the government’s so-called “Prawer-Begin Plan” which proposes relocating tens of thousands of Bedouin citizens in the south of the country from unrecognised encampments to purpose-built towns. The plan is yet to be approved by the Knesset and although the government believes that it will both solve the decades-old land dispute and improve quality of life for the Bedouin citizens in question, there is opposition from many Bedouin to being removed from what they regard as their ancestral land.

In this morning’s Israeli media, the headline in Maariv focuses on the continuing debate over the government’s new list of national funding priorities, which allocates increased funds to settlements in the West Bank while reducing grants to towns in Israel’s periphery. The report highlights Knesset research which indicates that between 2001 and 2010, almost 39,000 residents came to live in the West Bank, while 30,000 left northern Israel and 25,000 left southern Israel. Yediot Ahronot also focuses on demographic changes, with a report that the coming school year will see just 64 per cent of first grade pupils attending state schools that mandate the teaching of core subjects. The remainder will study in Arab or ultra-Orthodox schools.

Israel Hayom speculates over the next round of Israel-Palestinian peace talks, claiming that a meeting will take place next Tuesday in Jerusalem with another round of talks a week later in Jericho. Meanwhile, senior Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat is quoted saying that Israel will release the first group of Palestinian prisoners on Tuesday, agreed to last week by Israel’s cabinet in order to help pave the way for talks to begin.

Makor Rishon and Israel Radio news cover Prime Minister Netanyahu’s comments last night on Iran’s nuclear development and the country’s new President Hassah Rowhani. Netanyahu urged continued international pressure on Iran over its nuclear ambitions.