BBC News, The Independent, The Guardian, The Times and The Financial Times report on the power failure at the Natanz nuclear facility in Iran. The country’s top nuclear scientist, Ali Akbar Salehi, called the incident a “terrorist act” but did not say who was responsible. Reports from Israeli media suggested the Mossad played a central role in the power failure. Salehi told local media that “to thwart the goals of those who engineered this terrorist act, the Islamic Republic of Iran will continue to seriously develop nuclear technology on the one hand and expand its efforts to lift the unjust sanctions on the other hand.”

The Financial Times reports on Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif’s displeasure with a new Iranian TV show, believed to be produced by an organisation affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). According to the paper, the show, Gando, is “a popular television drama that depicts an incompetent minister who scuppers nuclear talks with world powers by hiring dual nationals who turn out to be spies for MI6.” Zarif said the show was a lie and damages the country’s foreign policy.

The Independent reports that Iran has imposed a 10-day lockdown as the country battles a fourth wave of COVID-19. President Hassan Rouhani blamed the wave on the variant that was first emerged in the UK. In the majority of the country’s provinces, businesses, schools, theatres and other facilities will be forced to shut. The health ministry also announced that gatherings will be banned during the holy fasting month of Ramadan. Iran has been reporting an average of 20,000 cases daily for the past week, with the number of cases surpassing 2 million. The country has reported over 64,000 fatalities from the virus over the last year.

Reuters reports that data from Israel may suggest that the South African COVID-19 variant may evade protection from the Pfizer vaccine. The study cited 400 people who tested positive two weeks after receiving the first and/or second dose of the vaccine compared to 400 unvaccinated individuals. According to the study, the South Africa variant made up 1 per cent of cases, but the rate of infection was eight times higher in those unvaccinated. The report notes that the research has not been peer reviewed.

Reuters reports on new restrictions imposed in Turkey as the country continues to battle rising COVID-19 infections. Turkey has reported the highest level of daily cases in Europe and the Middle East. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was criticised for easing restrictions in March when daily case numbers fell below 10,000.

BBC News reports that the Jordanian royal family appeared in public for the first time since last week’s claims of a rift. A picture released by the royal family showed King Abdullah II alongside Prince Hamzah, who had reportedly been put under house arrest last week. The photograph was released as the family commemorated the 100^th anniversary of the country’s independence by the memorial to the unknown soldier.

Anthony Loyd writes for The Times on the problems facing the women of Mosul due to their ‘perceived ISIS affiliation.” He writes that “The term [perceived Islamic State affiliation] affects as many as 250,000 Iraqis, predominantly women and children. They are stuck at the fringes of Iraqi society, unable to reintegrate due to decisions made by husbands, brothers, sons or fathers – now dead, missing or imprisoned – over which, as women, they had no control. And they are vulnerable to exploitation.”

The Associated Press reports on how Muslims are navigating restrictions as they face their second pandemic Ramadan. The report notes “Ramadan, which begins this week, comes as much of the world has been hit by an intense new coronavirus wave. For many Muslims navigating restrictions, that means hopes of a better Ramadan than last year have been dashed with the surge in infection rates though regulations vary in different countries. A time for fasting, worship and charity, Ramadan is also when people typically congregate for prayers, gather around festive meals to break their daylong fast, throng cafes and exchange visits. Once again, some countries are imposing new restrictions. But concern is high that the month’s communal rituals could stoke a further surge.”

In the Israeli media, Likud officials tell Maariv that they have become increasingly pessimistic about Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ability to form the next government. Officials say the party has “reached an impasse” in coalition talks. While Netanyahu has formed a negotiating team headed by David Bitan and Miki Zohar, progress has stalled. The Religious Zionist party has refused to sit in a coalition with the United Arab List (UAL). An internal poll from the Religious Zionist party found that just over 50 per cent of respondents prefer a government with UAL over fifth elections. The party dismissed the polls and its findings calling it “spin season”.

Amit Segel and Daphna Liel report for Channel 12 News that Shas, UTJ and Religious Zionist party leaders (the three parties aside from the Likud that recommended Netanyahu for prime minister) oppose any efforts by Netanyahu to grant Yamina party leader Naftali Bennett an alternating premiership. Moshe Gafni, Aryeh Deri and Bezalel Smotrich said it was “inconceivable for Netanyahu to offer an alternating premiership arrangement to Bennett when their parties had either an identical or an even larger number of seats as Yamina”

Haaretz reports on the resumption of Netanyahu’s trial. On the fourth day of the prime minister’s trial former Walla CEO Ilan Yeshua continued his testimony. Yeshua’s testimony is due to continue tomorrow and next Monday. According to Kan Radio News “Yeshua will continue to testify about the requests made to him and the actions that he took to advance what he called biased coverage favouring the Netanyahu family.”

All the Israeli media report on comments made by Israeli leaders following the death of Prince Philip. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the Duke of Edinburgh “the consummate public servant and will be much missed in Israel and across the world.” Israeli President Reuven Rivlin sent his condolences to the Queen and British people on behalf of Israel. Former Israeli Ambassador to the UK Ron Prosor writes for Israel Hayom about how the death is the end of an era for the royal family. Prosor writes “The royal family’s fight to maintain its status is symbolic of Britain’s own fight to maintain its status as a leader on the global stage, especially following Brexit.”

Maariv reports that the extension of Nadav Argaman’s tenure as the director of Israel’s General Security Service (GSS) is a result of “Israel’s problematic political situation”. Argaman’s five year role as director of the GSS was extended for several more months, although he was due to retire next month. Security sources tell the paper that while keeping Argaman on the job for several more months was the reasonable decision, the fact that his extension was announced at the very last minute “illustrates the government’s paralysis and inability to function.”

Ynet reports that Prof. Eran Segal said the country reached a “type of” herd immunity against COVID-19, but warned against complacency. Segal told the paper that “Nearly 70 per cent of the population is vaccinated or recovered. When you look at the data, you see for the past two and a half months we have seen constant decline [of cases]. We have never had that.” Segal said the government should seek to vaccinate children aged 12-15 as it would “help us maintain the success of the vaccination campaign and prevent further spread.” The health ministry reported 86 new cases yesterday, with a total of 3,890 active cases. The number of patients on ventilators stands at 139.