Iran says US ‘must receive a response’ to strikes, Australians look to flee conflict zone, experts warn about ‘war on nicotine’ | The Guardian

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Protesters in Tehran hold up posters showing the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and the late Ayatollah Khomeini after the US attacks.

23/06/2025

Iran says US ‘must receive a response’ to strikes, Australians look to flee conflict zone, experts warn about ‘war on nicotine’

Paul Gallagher

Good morning. All eyes are on Tehran as it weighs up options for retaliation after US airstrikes against Iran’s nuclear facilities. Despite global calls for diplomacy and de-escalation, Israel is escalating its own bombing campaign against Iran.

It’s a terrifying wait for Australians with loved ones still trying to leave the Middle East, as the UN security council prepares to meet for talks over the crisis.

And, closer to home, there are warnings that Australia is doomed to lose its struggle against nicotine if officials push a prohibition-style approach instead of focusing on harm reduction.

Australia

Iran reaction | The Albanese government has called for “de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy”, but has been criticised for a “weak” response to US airstrikes on Iran – as almost 4,000 Australian citizens still wait to escape the Middle East.

‘Who knows if they’re safe?’ | Australians with family in Iran are anxiously awaiting Tehran’s next move after it threatened retaliation over US airstrikes on its facilities.

Nicotine battle | Australia is waging a “de facto war on nicotine” that is doomed to fail in the same way as previous prohibition-style policies, experts say, amid efforts to combat the illicit tobacco trade.

Missing out? | One of Australia’s most popular savings account operators, ING, has ignored regulatory advice to tell customers when they are about to lose bonus rates on promotional accounts.

In the name of science | Melbourne’s Dr Véronique Paris has a hands-on approach to her research on mosquito-borne diseases: letting hundreds of mosquitoes bite her bare arm inside a special cage.

World

This satellite image shows a close view of the Isfahan nuclear technology in Iran after US airstrikes.

Iran airstrikes | Iran’s president says the US “must receive a response” to its attack; Israel has bombed “dozens of targets” across Iran after US claims the strikes at nuclear sites were an “overwhelming success”; “we weren’t expecting it yet”: US attack met with panic in Iran; the US bombing of Iran’s nuclear facilities is Trump’s biggest gamble yet as president, Patrick Wintour writes; Iran moves to shut strait of Hormuz.

Gaza crisis | One man’s account of coming under fire during a desperate attempt to gather food aid for his family in Gaza; the Israeli military has recovered the remains of three hostages held by Hamas.

‘I saw panic’ | French police are questioning two people after Disneyland Paris was hired for an alleged fake marriage ceremony involving a girl aged about nine being posed as the “bride”.

Islamic State threat | A suicide bombing by Islamic State at a church in the old Christian quarter of Damascus has killed at least 20 people and wounded dozens more, Syrian authorities said.

Immigration raids | A 68-year-old Mexican-born man has become the first Ice detainee in at least a decade to die, while being transported from a local jail to a federal detention centre.

Salvaged vessel | The superyacht belonging to the late tech tycoon Mike Lynch has been moved to a town in Sicily where British and Italian investigators will examine its sinking.

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In-depth

Houthi supporters in Sana’a burn Israeli and US flags as they demonstrate in solidarity with Palestinians and Iran.

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Cricket | Harry Brook makes his mark with 99 for England but