This morning’s Telegraph includes an article on a report issued by Iran’s Intelligence Ministry which claims that the Obama administration’s approach to Tehran’s nuclear programme is “completely different” to that of Israel. The Independent also covers the story online and interprets the report as a possible sign of Iran’s willingness to negotiate on its nuclear development. The Independent also includes an analysis by Adrian Hamilton, who argues that now is the time for President Obama to pursue a diplomatic breakthrough with Iran.

However, the online editions of the Guardian, Times, Telegraph and Financial Times all report that the Pentagon last night revealed that Iranian fighter jets attempted to shoot down a United States drone last week. A Pentagon spokesman emphasised that the drone was at all times operating in international airspace and that an American response to the incident had been relayed to Iran by Swiss authorities.

Elsewhere in the region, the Financial Times and the online editions of the Guardian, Times, Telegraph and Independent cover comments made by Syria’s President Assad in an interview with Russian television. Assad said that he will “live in Syria and die in Syria,” in what is being interpreted by some as a response to the suggestion made earlier this week by David Cameron that Assad could be allowed safe passage abroad if he agrees to relinquish power. In the interview Assad also warned that there would be a huge price to pay for Western military action in Syria. Meanwhile, the Times include a first-hand account by Martin Fletcher of the violence and civilian suffering in Syria’s second city Aleppo. Online, the Telegraph reports on a claim in a French satirical magazine that French President Francois Hollande has complained that Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu transformed a memorial ceremony attended by both leaders last week in Toulouse into an “election rally.” The ceremony commemorated the killing of six students at a Jewish school in the city in March. The Telegraph notes that Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office declined to comment.

In the Israeli media, the aftermath of the US election still features prominently. However, in a domestic slant, Israel Hayom and Maariv note criticism made yesterday by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of “voices from within, who are trying to cause a rift between us and the United States,” thought to be a reference to comments made by former-prime minister Ehud Olmert. The same article in Israel Hayom notes that Obama’s victory has raised hopes among Kadima members that Olmert will return to politics.

Maariv, Haaretz, Makor Rishon and Israel Hayom all report that three shells fired from Syria, thought to be an overspill from internal fighting in the country, landed yesterday in and around an Israeli community in the Golan Heights. No damage or casualties were reported following the incident. Meanwhile, Yediot Ahronot reports on an initiative by the Irish Foreign Minister Eamon Gilmore, to impose a boycott of goods produced in the settlements, a departure from the policy of clear labelling. Israel’s Foreign Ministry has summoned the Irish ambassador to the country for an explanation on the issue. This morning, Israel Radio News reports on a huge explosion in a tunnel near the border fence with the Gaza Strip, which damaged an Israeli army vehicle and lightly injured a soldier.