What is the common examiner trap about Intl. Relations in UPSC exams?

They may ask about the 'primary objective' of the US-Israel strike, with options like 'destroy nuclear facilities' or 'capture leadership'. The correct focus, as per the article, is 'regime change'. Another trap is swapping the names of the appointed successor (Ali Larijani) with the elected President (Masoud Pezeshkian).

What should UPSC aspirants remember about Intl. Relations for Prelims?

1. Target this Data: Over 9 million (Indian diaspora in West Asia) 2. Target this Nodal Body: School of International Studies, JNU (Author's affiliation) 3. Target this Legal Point: Violation of international rules/norms (for IR questions)

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US-Israel 'Epic Fury' Strike Kills Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei, Sparks Regional Conflict with $70 Oil Price Risk for India

Q: The author of the article is a professor at which institution?

School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, The article's byline explicitly states: 'The writer is professor, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi'. This is a direct factual extraction from the source.

Q: Consider the following statements regarding the developments mentioned in the article: 1. The US-Israel joint military strike on Iran was codenamed 'Epic Fury'. 2. The article states that the current crude oil price is hovering at $80 per barrel. 3. Ali Larijani was appointed by Khamenei as a de facto leader, bypassing the elected President. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Both 1 and 3, Statement 1 is correct as the article mentions the strike was called 'Epic Fury'. Statement 2 is incorrect; the article states the crude oil price is $70 per barrel, not $80. Statement 3 is correct as per the line: 'Khamenei had appointed Ali Larijani as a de facto leader, bypassing President Masoud Pezeshkian.'

Q: According to the article, what is the approximate size of the Indian diaspora living in West Asia?

Over 9 million, The article specifically states: 'Over nine million people... live in different parts of West Asia.' The other options are plausible but incorrect distractors.

Q: What is identified as a primary strategic challenge for Indian diplomacy arising from the crisis, according to the article?

Ensuring the security of the Indian diaspora in West Asia., The article explicitly lists priorities for India, stating: 'The priority should be to ensure the security of the Indian diaspora in West Asia.' While oil prices and regional strategy are mentioned, the security of citizens is highlighted as the foremost concern.

Intl. Relations Security & DefenceHIGH

Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCPrelims MediumMains High

28 Feb 2026

~2 min

Source: Indian Express

Key Data:$70 per barrelOver 9 million

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What This Article Covers

1.US-Israel joint operation 'Epic Fury' targets Iran, resulting in the reported death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

2.The crisis threatens regional stability, risks escalating oil prices above $70/barrel, and endangers over 9 million Indians in West Asia.

3.The event is a critical case study for International Relations on regime change, strategic autonomy, and the failure of deterrence in a multipolar world.

The Big Picture

Prelims · MediumMains · High

A US-Israel joint military strike 'Epic Fury' has reportedly killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, triggering retaliatory strikes and a major regional crisis. This event tests international norms and poses significant diplomatic and economic challenges for India, including risks to its diaspora and potential oil price shocks.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Military Operation NameEpic Fury

Crude Oil Price (Current)$70 per barrel

Indian Diaspora in West AsiaOver 9 million

1-Minute Revision

›Military Operation Name: Epic Fury
›Crude Oil Price (Current): $70 per barrel
›Target this Data: Over 9 million (Indian diaspora in West Asia)
›Target this Nodal Body: School of International Studies, JNU (Author's affiliation)
›Target this Legal Point: Violation of international rules/norms (for IR questions)

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News Snapshot

💥

Strategic Strike

The US and Israel launched 'Epic Fury', a joint military strike on Iran, reportedly killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

⚖️

Regime Change Calculus

The US strategy aims for regime change in Iran but faces challenges due to Iran's entrenched political-military structure and popular aversion to foreign intervention.

🇮🇳

India's Strategic Dilemma

India faces a triple challenge: securing its large diaspora in West Asia, managing rising oil import costs, and navigating the regional fallout of a failed regime-change policy.

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

The article frames the strike within a broader trend of declining international order, where hegemonic powers act with impunity. It references the Israeli invasion of Gaza and the US capture of Venezuela's President Maduro as precedents, highlighting the weakness of international rules and domestic constraints in deterring such actions.

Core Analysis & Implications

The death of Khamenei creates a severe leadership vacuum. His prior appointment of Ali Larijani as a de facto leader, bypassing President Masoud Pezeshkian, indicates internal succession planning. Iran's retaliatory capability, through missiles and drones, ensures it can inflict significant damage on US/Israeli assets, potentially entrapping the US in another Middle Eastern conflict. The strategy of regime change via aerial bombardment alone is historically flawed and unlikely to succeed without ground troops, which the US public opposes.

Future Outlook / Way Forward

The immediate concern is the survival of the Iranian regime and its response. The conflict's regionalization, indicated by explosions in UAE, Bahrain, and Kuwait, could draw in more actors. For India, the priority is a robust diplomatic strategy to ensure diaspora safety, hedge against oil price volatility, and prevent the region's further descent into radicalization and terrorism, as witnessed in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, and Syria.

Key Facts at a Glance

Military Operation NameEpic Fury

Crude Oil Price (Current)$70 per barrel

Indian Diaspora in West AsiaOver 9 million

You've read the full analysis. Now test your understanding.

Practice exam-style questions based on this article.

Q1Static LinkageEasyUPSC, SSC

The author of the article is a professor at which institution?

Q2Statement-basedHardUPSC

Consider the following statements regarding the developments mentioned in the article:

1. The US-Israel joint military strike on Iran was codenamed 'Epic Fury'.

2. The article states that the current crude oil price is hovering at $80 per barrel.

3. Ali Larijani was appointed by Khamenei as a de facto leader, bypassing the elected President.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMediumUPSC, SSC

According to the article, what is the approximate size of the Indian diaspora living in West Asia?

Q4Application/ImpactMediumUPSC, SSC

What is identified as a primary strategic challenge for Indian diplomacy arising from the crisis, according to the article?

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Next Supreme Leader Khamenei (86) Dies Amid Conflict, Triggers 40-Day Mourning and Temporary Council of President, Judiciary Head, and Guardian Council Jurist

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US-Israel 'Epic Fury' Strike Kills Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei, Sparks Regional Conflict with $70 Oil Price Risk for India

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

1-Minute Revision

News Snapshot

Strategic Strike

Regime Change Calculus

India's Strategic Dilemma

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

Core Analysis & Implications

Future Outlook / Way Forward

Prelims Flashpoints

Key Facts at a Glance