News of an apparent agreement between Iran and the IAEA regarding inspection of nuclear facilities in the country is reported widely this morning in the UK press. The Guardian reports that it is unclear at present whether such an agreement would help or hinder six-power talks that open in Baghdad today. The Daily Telegraph writes that Iran will face demands to stop enriching uranium to a level from which it can quickly build a nuclear bomb, but in return may be allowed to continue low-level enrichment under international supervision. The Independent carries quotes from Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak, who has warned against the ‘deception of progress’ in the talks with Iran. The Times reports on the Egyptian presidential elections that open today. Fifty million voters will choose between 13 candidates, of whom independent Islamist Abdel Moneim Abul Foutouh and former foreign minister Amr Moussa are likely to go forward to a run-off vote. The paper also notes that a poorly-faked Israeli passport shown on Iranian state television casts doubt on claims that the man executed last week in Teheran was an Israeli agent. The BBC reports that 12 Lebanese Shia Muslims were kidnapped yesterday by Syrian opposition forces, raising concerns that Lebanon is destabilised by the Syrian violence. The Independent notes comments by the EU yesterday regarding the conviction of a Palestinian who was found guilty of leading illegal demonstrations. The Times notes comments by MK Einat Wilf (Atzmaut) yesterday that London is a ‘hub of hubs’ in the international assault on Israel’s legitimacy. Wilf was chairing a session of a Knesset sub-committee on Israel’s relations with diaspora communities.

The Bagdhad talks are also high on the Israeli news agenda. Israel Radio notes comments by Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, in London for talks with British Foreign Secretary William Hague. Whilst sanctions are having an effect, he said, they are insufficient to produce real change in Iranian policy. According to Maariv, US officials are also not optimistic that the talks will produce a breakthrough. In the comment section, Yisrael Hayom’s Dan Margalit warns that the Amano-Jalili agreement is ‘an alliance between thieves’. Haaretz columnist Amir Oren warns that Israel runs the risk of isolating itself by opposing a deal with Iran, and Ofer Shelach, writing in Maariv, assesses that a partial agreement now could be used to ‘spur the world into taking real action’ when it proves to be unsatisfactory. Haaretz carries reports that the UK Press Complaints Commission has rejected a complaint against the Guardian for describing Tel Aviv as the capital of Israel. The PCC found that there was no breach of its Code, since Israel’s claim that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel is not accepted by the UK and the international community. According to Maariv, the National Union party, whose main support is drawn from the settlers of the West Bank, may introduce legislation today to retroactively legalise the Ulpana Hill outpost, which faces court-ordered evacuation by the end of the month. Whilst the government coalition has allowed a free vote for MKs, prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu has ordered ministers to vote against the bill and prevent it passing. Ynet reports that the US Senate is considering a bill that would upgrade security cooperation between the US and Israel. The US-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act is expected to pass with a large majority.