Iran-Israel 12-Day War (June 2025): Operation Rising Lion Targets Natanz, Fordow Nuclear Sites; U.S. Strikes Under Operation Midnight Hammer

BRICS New Delhi Declaration Flags Nuclear Safety; Bloc Expands to 10 Members Under India's Chair

BRICS leaders adopted the New Delhi Declaration at the 2026 summit hosted by India, expressing serious concern over deliberate attacks on civilian nuclear facilities under IAEA safeguards and the growing risks of nuclear conflict. The declaration also highlights BRICS expansion (10 members, 10 partner countries) and reaffirms support for nuclear-weapon-free zones. For UPSC aspirants, this is a key data point on India's diplomatic leadership, nuclear disarmament discourse, and the evolving BRICS architecture.

Bangladesh-U.S. MoU on Civil Nuclear Cooperation; Both NPT Parties with IAEA Safeguards

Bangladesh and the US signed a strategic MoU on civil nuclear cooperation in New York on September 25, 2026, aiming to expand the Rooppur nuclear plant. This strengthens US-Bangladesh ties and reinforces the global nuclear non-proliferation regime, as both countries are NPT parties with IAEA safeguards in force. For UPSC aspirants, this is a key example of international energy cooperation and its implications for India's neighbourhood.

US-Saudi 123 Nuclear Deal Allows Enrichment, Weakens Nonproliferation Order

The US-Saudi 123 Agreement permits uranium enrichment on Saudi soil, breaking from the gold-standard 2009 UAE deal. This weakens global nonproliferation norms, risks a Middle East nuclear arms race, and undermines US credibility, especially after the US-Israel war on Iran.

US-Saudi Civil Nuclear Pact Submitted to Congress for 90-Day Review Under Atomic Energy Act

The US has submitted a civil nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia to Congress for a mandatory 90-day review under the Atomic Energy Act. The deal is tied to Saudi Arabia normalizing relations with Israel via the Abraham Accords, but faces hurdles due to Saudi demands for Palestinian statehood and Israeli opposition. This has implications for nuclear non-proliferation and Middle East geopolitics.

US Sanctions 4 Indian Firms Under 'Operation Economic Outcast' for Iran Oil Imports Worth $119 Mn

The US has sanctioned four India-based companies for facilitating Iranian petroleum imports under a new campaign 'Operation Economic Outcast'. This move broadens secondary sanctions risk, directly impacting India's energy trade and testing its diplomatic balancing act between Washington and Tehran.

US Strikes IRGC Targets in Strait of Hormuz; 5 Killed in Wedding, Oil Prices Cross $95/Barrel

The US and Iran have exchanged significant military strikes, ending a month-long lull. US Central Command targeted IRGC air-defence and maritime sites in response to attempted attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran retaliated with missiles and drones, hitting a wedding venue in southern Iran, killing five and wounding dozens. The Strait of Hormuz remains largely disrupted, pushing Brent crude above $95/barrel and raising global energy security concerns.

US Treasury Invokes Section 311 on Banque Misr UAE to Choke Iran’s Shadow Banking Network

The US Treasury has targeted Banque Misr's UAE branches under Section 311 for allegedly processing $1.8 billion for Iran-linked front companies. This precision sanction aims to dismantle Iran's shadow-banking networks without penalizing the Egyptian parent bank, signaling a new phase in financial warfare with major implications for West Asian banking hubs.

India's 100-Hour BRICS Diplomacy Secures Iran-UAE Consensus in New Delhi Declaration

India's BRICS chairship produced a consensus joint declaration on the West Asia war despite Iran-UAE differences, after nearly 100 hours of negotiations. The declaration's Paragraph 28 calls for maximum restraint and protection of civilians without naming the US or Iran. This is a ready case study for India's multilateral diplomacy and BRICS expansion.