This morning’s media is dominated by the interim deal brokered over the weekend between the P5+1 powers (US, UK, France, Russia, China and Germany) and Iran in Geneva. The six-month agreement will see Iran freeze several aspects of its nuclear programme and submit its facilities to more rigorous international inspection in return for a relaxation of some sanctions, including access to significant oil revenues. The agreement is covered prominently by the Times, Telegraph, Daily, Mail, Daily Express, Sun, Daily Mirror, Daily Star, Metro and City AM which all mention Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s opposition to the deal, describing it as an “historic mistake.”

The Telegraph, Times and Guardian all highlight the key role played by European Union foreign affairs Chief Catherine Ashton, who heads the P5+1 delegation in concluding the Geneva deal. The Guardian’s Julian Borger provides a guide to the practical aspects of the deal. The Times and Financial Times report that Iran’s President Rouhani and Foreign Minister Zarif are being hailed as heroes by the Iranian public in the wake of the agreement. Meanwhile, the Times says US Republican Senators are unhappy with the deal and are considering legislation which could place it in jeopardy. The Telegraph suggests there is bi-partisan support in Congress for legislation which would ensure that the interim deal does not turn into a final settlement. The Independent, Independent i, Metro and online edition of the Guardian include articles highlighting Israeli opposition to the agreement.

There is plenty of commentary and discussion on the Geneva deal. An editorial in the Times says it includes “achingly generous terms” for Iran and the leader in the Telegraph says the deal may be pragmatic but caution is advisable.  The Guardian’s editorial argues that it is an historic deal worth defending, while the Independent criticises Israeli and Saudi opposition to the agreement and suggests the accord could even pave the way for US-Iranian cooperation on Syria.

In the Financial Times, Geoff Dyer says that despite the deal, large gaps remain between the US and Iran over Tehran’s nuclear programme, while Ian Black in the Guardian suggests the agreement is further evidence of the US pivoting away from its traditional regional allies. Richard Spencer in the Telegraph says the deal is a victory for isolationists in the United States and Europe which could backfire. Also in the Telegraph, Con Coughlin says that if Iran fails to adhere to the deal, it will be more isolated than ever before.

In other items, the Times reports that the Syrian opposition has launched a significant offensive in the eastern suburbs of Damascus against President Assad’s forces. The Guardian online says Egypt’s interim-President Mansour has signed a new law effectively outlawing public demonstrations.

The Israeli media is similarly dominated by the weekend deal in Geneva between the P5+1 powers and Iran. It is the lead story, dominating the first several pages in Israel Hayom, Maariv, Makor Rishon, Haaretz and in Yediot Ahronot which captures the mood with the headline “The agreement and the concern.” Maariv says the Iranian nuclear programme has been “legitimized” in Geneva while Makor Rishon highlights the opposition of Prime Minister Netanyahu to the deal. Israel Radio news says that US President Obama called Netanyahu and urged that the two countries work together towards concluding a final agreement with Iran over its nuclear programme. Writing in Yediot Ahronot, Nahum Barnea says Israel and the rest of the region will have to get used to Iran as a nuclear threshold state, but that this is not the end of the world. Similarly, Nadav Eyal in Maariv says the agreement raises concerns but might be preferable to the continuation of the status quo.

In other news, Haaretz, Makor Rishon and Israel Radio news report that Yisrael Beitenu leader Avigdor Lieberman has agreed to Netanyahu’s request to defer any decision on the unity between Likud and Yisrael Beitenu, effectively ensuring their continued merger for the time being.