The Guardian online covers comments made yesterday by US Secretary of State John Kerry, in defence of President Obama’s stance over the nascent nuclear deal with Iran. Although Tehran and the P5+1 powers (US, UK, France, Russia, China and Germany) agreed the outline to a comprehensive deal two weeks ago, several key areas of disagreement appear to remain between the two sides.

In Iran itself, the Guardian online reports that Washington Post correspondent Jason Rezaian, who has been detained without charge for eight months, will stand trial for espionage. His plight has been condemned by American officials and journalists across the world.

The Independent says that the United Nations special peace envoy to Syria has called on the West to listen more carefully to Russia over the country’s future, due to Moscow’s historic relationship with Damascus and unique insight into the Syrian regime.

Writing in the Guardian, Al Jazeera presenter Mehdi Hassan condemns the international silence surrounding the plight of Palestinian refugees in the Yarmouk region south of Damascus who are facing persecution by ISIS having endured a severe siege imposed by the Assad regime. Hassan criticises the “selective outrage” employed across the world, reflecting “how different, how vocal and passionate” the condemnation would be were Yarmouk residents suffering at the hands of the Israeli army.

Meanwhile, in Egypt, the Times online says that the Muslim Brotherhood’s spiritual leader Mohammed Badie and 13 other leaders from the Islamist movement have been sentenced to death by an Egyptian court. Leading Muslim Brotherhood figures were rounded up after President al-Sisi seized power and were accused of having plotted and acted against the Egyptian people.

In the Israeli media, Yediot Ahronot and Maariv both lead with the news that Hillary Clinton will run to become US President. The news, which is also covered prominently by Haaretz and Israel Hayom, is greeted with speculation over what a Clinton presidency could mean for Israel. Writing in the NRG news site, Eitan Gilboa suggests that Clinton would reverse the trend under the Obama administration in which America’s traditional friends have been distanced and long-term enemies brought closer.

The top story in Haaretz is the ongoing coalition talks, in which it claims Jewish Home is demanding the final say in all matters regarding religion and state, as a condition to joining a Likud-led government. Meanwhile, Maariv and Israel Radio news both report that Prime Minister Netanyahu met last night with Kulanu leader Moshe Kahlon and that progress was made over a potential coalition agreement. Israel Hayom indicates that one of the sticking points for Kahlon will be resolved, allowing him to oversee the Planning Administration which works within the Interior Ministry, despite the fact that Shas leader Aryeh Deri is likely to become Interior Minister.

Meanwhile, Israel Hayom’s top story is the further comment made yesterday by Prime Minister Netanyahu over the emerging nuclear deal with Iran, with Netanyahu insisting that sanctions on Tehran must only be relaxed if Iran stops its support for terror.