That’s a wrap. Thanks for following AFR’s live coverage this Thursday, June 26, 2025. We will bring you more news tomorrow.

Here are some of the stories we covered today:

• Supreme leader’s silence unnerves his backers in Iran: With the nation watching, the host on Iranian state television asked the question that so many people in Iran – from the political elite to people on the street – were wondering.

• Trump signals US may ease Iran oil sanctions: President Donald Trump said on Wednesday (Thursday AEST) that the US has not given up its maximum pressure on Iran – including restrictions on sales of Iranian oil – but signalled a potential easing in enforcement to help the country rebuild.

• AC/DC has huge ticket sale demand: Tickets to AC/DC’s first Australian tour in 10 years went on sale this morning, and it wasn’t a long way to the top.

• Speakman promises AI minister in NSW budget reply: The NSW Opposition Leader Mark Speakman has just delivered his budget reply.

• Marles stands ground on defence spend despite NATO boost: On the sidelines of the NATO summit in the Netherlands, Defence Minister Richard Marles said Australia would decide its own spending levels to meet its own military needs.

• The CIA says Iran’s nuclear program ‘severely damaged’: Central Intelligence Agency director John Ratcliffe on Wednesday (Thursday AEST) said “a body of credible intelligence” indicated that Iran’s nuclear program was “severely damaged” by recent US strikes, and that it would take years to be rebuilt.

• NATO’s Rutte likens Trump to a ‘daddy’: NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte likened President Donald Trump to a “daddy” intervening in a schoolyard brawl after the US leader repeatedly berated Middle East foes Israel and Iran this week, including with a profanity.