On the eve of further talks between P5+1 powers (US, UK, France, Russia, China and Germany) and Iran, the Times, Telegraph, Independent i, Sun and online editions of the Guardian and Independent report that Prime Minister David Cameron spoke yesterday directly by phone with Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani. It was the first time in over a decade that leaders of the two countries spoke, in a further sign of thawing UK-Iran relations. A Downing Street spokesman said that Prime Minister Cameron underscored the importance of greater transparency regarding Iran’s nuclear programme.

A preview of today’s negotiations in Geneva and an overview of the possible interim deal can be found in online editions of the Guardian and Telegraph, which mention that Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet with Russian President Putin in Moscow today to discuss the talks. The online editions of the Telegraph and Financial Times report that six Republican US Senators have defied President Obama’s wishes and last night tabled an amendment which, if approved, would institute new sanctions on Iran. However, the amendment will not be discussed until after Thanksgiving at the end of the month. Meanwhile, the Independent i says Iranian parliamentarians have signed a petition demanding its government insists on the country’s ‘right’ to produce 20 per cent enriched uranium, considered a short step from weapons grade material.

There is plenty of commentary surrounding the nuclear talks which resume today. Writing in the Financial Times, Roula Khalaf says that Israel’s opposition to the interim deal on the table could place the country in a difficult position, perceived as opposing the diplomatic process. In the Times, Roger Boyes says that the United States will not stop Iran’s nuclear development militarily and that the deal being discussed would enable Iran to maintain a nuclear ‘break out’ capacity while facilitating Iran’s diplomatic ‘break out’ into greater international legitimacy. However, David Blair and Peter Foster in the Telegraph suggest that President Obama’s strategy could slow down Iran’s nuclear clock, while hoping pressure continues to build on Tehran’s hard line ruling class.

Yesterday’s explosion at the Iranian Embassy in Beirut which killed at least 23 people, for which an al-Qaeda affiliate took responsibility, is covered by the Guardian, Times, Telegraph, Independent i, Daily Mail, Metro, Evening Standard and online editions of the Independent and Financial Times. An editorial in the Independent argues that the attack demonstrated the urgent need to find a political solution in Syria, as the bombing was a clear message for Iran and its ally Hezbollah to extricate themselves from the Syrian conflict. Both Michael Binyon in the Times and Robert Fisk in the Independent say yesterday’s bombing raises the spectre of a wider Shia-Sunni conflict being ignited in the region.

The headlines in this morning’s Israeli media focus on today’s nuclear talks in Geneva. Yediot Ahronot’s headline predicts “On the way to a fateful agreement,” while Israel Hayom says a deal between the international community and Iran is “imminent.” Maariv previews Prime Minister Netanyahu’s visit to Moscow today, where it predicts Russian President Putin will attempt to convince Netanyahu to support the proposed interim deal. Meanwhile, Makor Rishon suggests Israel’s leaders have accepted that a deal will be done in Geneva, but are attempting to impact the terms of such an agreement.

Israel Radio news reports that the Israel Air Force struck several strategic targets in the Gaza Strip overnight, in response to mortars fired at IDF troops from the Hamas-controlled area yesterday. Meanwhile, Yediot Ahronot reports that two IDF officers were wounded yesterday in an accident on the Har Dov area bordering Lebanon.

Haaretz, Maariv and Israel Hayom highlight yesterday’s appointment, subject to cabinet approval, of Shai Nitzan as Israel’s next State Attorney. In Maariv, legal commentator Baruch Krar rubbishes right-wing criticism of Nitzan’s appointment, describing him as a gifted litigator.