Comments by Egypt’s new president Mohammed Morsi that his country would seek to renew relations with Iran are widely reported in the UK media this morning. The comments were reported by FARS, the official Iranian news agency. According to the Daily Mirror, Morsi has hinted that the Israeli-Egyptian peace deal is now in danger. The Financial Times reports that the US administration is considering cutting its aid to Egypt in light of the Moslem Brotherhood’s rise to power. The Daily Telegraph notes comments by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu aimed at playing down fears ‘that his country is on a collision course with Egypt.’ This theme is also evident in the Guardian’s reporting. Despite the formal welcome given to Morsi, there are also ‘mixed feelings, loaded messages … and uncertainty’ about his election. The Evening Standard and the Guardian carry comment pieces which urge readers ‘not to fear’ Morsi, and to ‘give him a try’, respectively. The Daily Telegraph reports a rare public speech by MI5 head, Jonathan Evans, in which he warned that instability in the Arab world was allowing al-Qaeda to rebuild. He also warned of a new generation of British-born terrorists who were being trained in the Middle East to carry out attacks in the UK. Russian president Vladimir Putin’s visit to Israel is reported in the Guardian, with Iran at the top of the agenda. Metro London carries a feature on the role of cyber warfare in confronting the Iranian threat. The Independent notes that the BBC is to review the role of its Middle East editor, Jeremy Bowen. The paper also notes a demonstration by ultra-orthodox Jews in Jerusalem yesterday, protesting against a report that is likely to see limits placed on their exemptions from military or national service. The Financial Times carries comments on Turkey’s angry reaction to the downing of a plane by Syrian forces, and on the danger posed by Pakistan to regional stability.

The Israeli press leads with the visit of Vladimir Putin to Israel yesterday. Despite a lack of official comment, most analysts suggest that the visit was a success. According to Maariv, Israeli leaders were reassured by Russian support for stronger sanctions against Iran, and an assurance that weapons in Syria would not make their way to al-Qaeda or Hezbollah. On the critical question of Iran, Putin is reported as warning Israel of the unpredictable consequences of an attack, although the paper quotes an Israeli official who assessed that Russia ‘would not shed a tear’ in the event of military action against Iran. Haaretz notes that the EU yesterday decided to impose its latest round of sanctions on the Iranian oil industry from 1 July. The Jerusalem Post notes that Mohammed Morsi has denied giving an interview to Iranian news agency FARS, in which he was reported as calling for a review of the 1979 Israel-Egypt peace treaty and for the renewal of relations between Cairo and Teheran. Morsi called the interview a ‘fabrication’. According to Makor Rishon-HaTzofe, an agreement with settler leaders means that the evacuation of the buildings on Ulpana Hill, which starts today, will be implemented in an orderly way. Yediot Ahronot reports that the Keshev committee on drafting ultra-orthodox Jews for military or national service will present its findings next week. The main recommendation is expected to be that only 1500 exemptions will be granted for religious study each year, leaving some 6000 facing the choice between military service and national service. Haaretz notes that 69% of Israelis support the renewal of social protests this summer, and only 15% believe that last summer’s demonstrations improved the situation. Ynet reports that another plane will take South Sudanese citizens back to their home country today.