An announcement yesterday by the White House that the Obama administration believes that the regime of Syrian President Assad has used sarin gas is covered widely, with articles in the Times and the online editions of the Guardian, Independent and Telegraph. The US statement made clear that Assad has crossed the “red lines” which Obama said several months ago could precipitate direct US action. However, the statement was less clear over what measures the United States will take and whether it will include direct military aid to the Supreme Military Council that coordinates opposition military efforts.

Both the Times and the Telegraph report that at a closed event, former US President Bill Clinton urged Obama to involve the United States more directly in Syria or risk being made to look a fool. However, the Daily Mail includes an analysis that says that the Syrian conflict has the potential to engulf the entire region. The online editions of the Telegraph, Guardian, Independent and Financial Times cover a new United Nations (UN) report, which estimates that almost 93,000 people have died since the start of the Syrian civil war. In Syria itself, opposition forces fired mortars on Damascus airport yesterday, forcing its’ brief closure according to the Times. The Financial Times says that the UN is scrambling to find replacements for the Austrian troops who were withdrawn this week from the UN peacekeeping force on the Israel-Syrian border.

There is also significant coverage of the Iranian presidential election which takes place today. The Financial Times, Times and Independent i contrast the fractious state of the hard-line vote, which looks set to be split among several candidates, with the apparent support behind a single candidate, Hassan Rowhani, by those critical of the Tehran regime’s policies. The Independent says that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei has warned that a low turnout would be a victory for Iran’s enemies. However the Guardian argues that whatever the outcome of the vote, the current hard-line clerical regime will be the winner. The Telegraph online reports that Iranian Revolutionary Guards have set up secret prisons in residential areas in case widespread unrest breaks out as a result of the election. The same publication says that Google reports mass attempts to hack the e-mail accounts of Iranian users.

The Telegraph online says claims that Israel sold military equipment to Pakistan, an allegation denied by both countries, could strain Israel-India relations. The Independent i reports that there are plans to build 1,000 new housing units in West Bank settlements, although this requires approval from zoning authorities and other permissions. Meanwhile, in the Daily Express, Frederick Forsyth wonders “Why Israel is demonised yet again” over issues such as settlements when other issues, such as the civil war in Syria is responsible for far greater suffering in the region.

In the Israeli media this morning, today’s Iranian election is the major story and makes the front page headline in all publications. Yediot Ahronot says that there is “Hope for moderates in Iran,” while Haaretz boils the election down to “Bread or nuclear power.” Meanwhile, Israel Hayom concludes that whatever the outcome “[Ayatollah] Khamenei will win.”

Sof Hashavua claims that the director of German intelligence has been mediating between Israel, Syria and Hezbollah in order to clarify their positions towards each other and to reach understandings that would prevent potential conflict. Meanwhile, a poll in Israel Hayom indicates that that 62 per cent of Jewish Israelis support continued Israeli air strikes in Syria to prevent arms shipments from reaching their destination. Yediot Ahronot covers an interview with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin who suggested that it would be preferable for Israel if Assad retains power.

Maariv says that Palestinians in the West Bank are starting to dig the kind of tunnels which have existed in the Gaza Strip for several years, in order to evade the security barrier. Apparently, two such infiltration attempts were recently stopped by security forces.