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

They may ask which country shares the South Pars gas field with Iran (Qatar), or confuse the percentage of global oil trade (20%) with the percentage of global LNG trade (also ~20%) passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Another trap is swapping the dates of the initial strike (Feb 28) with the Hormuz closure (Mar 2).

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

1. Target this Data: 20 million barrels per day (Strait of Hormuz oil flow) 2. Target this Nodal Body: CENTCOM (US Central Command) 3. Target this Legal Point: Closure of international straits under UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea)

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News 17 of 26

Iran Strikes Ras Laffan LNG, Israel Hits South Pars Gas Field; Strait of Hormuz Blocked as Brent Crude Surges to $113/Barrel

Q: Which U.S. military command, mentioned in the article, is responsible for operations in the Middle East region including Iran?

US Central Command (CENTCOM), The article mentions CENTCOM reporting on strikes in Iran. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) is the unified combatant command responsible for U.S. military operations in the Middle East, Central Asia, and parts of South Asia.

Q: Consider the following statements regarding the US-Israel-Iran conflict as per the article: 1. The war, named 'Operation Epic Fury', began with coordinated US-Israel strikes on February 28, 2026, resulting in the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. 2. Iran responded by opening the Strait of Hormuz to all international shipping to ease global oil supply concerns. 3. The Ras Laffan LNG facility in Qatar, the world's largest, was attacked by Iran in retaliation for strikes on its South Pars gas field. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Both 1 and 3, Statement 1 is correct as the article states Operation Epic Fury began on Feb 28, 2026, and Khamenei was killed. Statement 2 is incorrect because Iran CLOSED the Strait of Hormuz, not opened it. Statement 3 is correct as Iran struck Ras Laffan after Israel hit South Pars. Hence, both 1 and 3 are correct.

Q: According to the article, what approximate percentage of India's Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) imports comes from Qatar and the United Arab Emirates combined?

53%, The article explicitly states that 53% of India's LNG imports are sourced from Qatar and the UAE (via the Strait of Hormuz). This highlights India's significant energy security vulnerability to disruptions in that region.

Q: What is the primary strategic implication of Iran's decision to close the Strait of Hormuz, as described in the article?

To use it as leverage in the conflict by weaponizing global energy supply chains., The article frames the closure as Iran's strategic 'leverage'. By blocking a chokepoint for 20% of global seaborne oil, Iran aims to exert pressure on the global economy and the US-led coalition, making it a tool of economic warfare.

Intl. Relations Security & Defence EconomyHIGH

Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCTeachingSSC GAPrelims HighMains High

20 Mar 2026

~2 min

Source: Indian Express

Key Data:20 million barrels per dayBrent crude $113+53% of India's LNG2,300+ killed17% Qatar LNG capacity sidelined

Bodies:CENTCOMWHOIMOIEANATO

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~2 min · Quick mode

What This Article Covers

1.Tit-for-tat strikes on critical energy infrastructure (Ras Laffan LNG, South Pars gas field) mark a dangerous escalation in the 21-day war.

2.Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which carries 20% of global seaborne oil, has caused Brent crude to surge from ~$65 to $113+ per barrel.

3.The conflict exposes a rare public rift between the US and Israel, with President Trump stating he opposed Israel's strike on South Pars and was not involved.

The Big Picture

Prelims · HighMains · High

A major escalation in the US-Israel-Iran conflict has targeted the world's largest energy infrastructure, including Qatar's Ras Laffan LNG and Iran's South Pars gas field. Iran has blockaded the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil chokepoint, causing Brent crude to surge past $113/barrel and triggering a global energy crisis with significant implications for India's LNG and oil imports.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Strait of Hormuz Closure DateMarch 2, 2026

Daily Oil Flow through Strait20 million barrels

Brent Crude Price (Mar 20, 2026)$113+ per barrel

Estimated Total Casualties2,300+ killed

India's LNG Import from Qatar & UAE53%

Qatar's LNG Capacity Sidelined17% for 3-5 years

1-Minute Revision

›Strait of Hormuz Closure Date: March 2, 2026
›Daily Oil Flow through Strait: 20 million barrels
›Target this Data: 20 million barrels per day (Strait of Hormuz oil flow)
›Target this Nodal Body: CENTCOM (US Central Command)
›Target this Legal Point: Closure of international straits under UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea)

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News Snapshot

⚡

Energy War Escalation

Israel struck Iran's South Pars gas field on March 18, prompting Iran to retaliate by hitting energy facilities across Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the UAE.

🚢

Hormuz Blockade

Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz on March 2, blocking 20 million barrels of oil per day and causing the largest global energy supply disruption since the 1970s oil crisis.

🤝

US-Israel Rift

President Trump publicly stated he opposed Israel's strike on South Pars and was not involved, revealing a significant policy difference with PM Netanyahu.

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

The conflict, 'Operation Epic Fury', began on February 28, 2026, with US-Israel strikes killing Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Iran retaliated by drawing Hezbollah into the conflict and targeting regional energy infrastructure, leading to the current multi-front war impacting over a dozen countries.

Core Analysis & Implications

The strategic shift to targeting energy infrastructure (like Ras Laffan and South Pars) weaponizes global energy security. The Hormuz blockade has immediate inflationary pressure on global oil and food prices (one-third of global fertiliser trade transits the Strait). For India, with 53% of LNG imports reliant on Qatar and the UAE, this poses a severe energy security challenge, reflected in the rupee hitting a record low of 92.94 against the dollar.

Geopolitical & Alliance Dynamics

The war has strained alliances: NATO allies Germany and Greece refused Trump's call for military help to reopen the Strait, while Japan reaffirmed support. The public US-Israel disagreement over targeting strategy signals potential fragmentation in the Western coalition and complicates coordinated military objectives.

Future Outlook / Way Forward

The EU has formally called for reopening the Strait and halting energy attacks. However, with Iran warning 'zero restraint' and Qatar's LNG repairs projected for 3-5 years, prolonged energy market volatility is likely. Diplomatic efforts, potentially led by China which is negotiating safe passage for its tankers, will be critical to de-escalate this global chokepoint crisis.

Key Facts at a Glance

Strait of Hormuz Closure DateMarch 2, 2026

Daily Oil Flow through Strait20 million barrels

Brent Crude Price (Mar 20, 2026)$113+ per barrel

Estimated Total Casualties2,300+ killed

India's LNG Import from Qatar & UAE53%

Qatar's LNG Capacity Sidelined17% for 3-5 years

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Practice exam-style questions based on this article.

Q1Static LinkageEasyUPSC, SSC

Which U.S. military command, mentioned in the article, is responsible for operations in the Middle East region including Iran?

Q2Statement-basedHardUPSC

Consider the following statements regarding the US-Israel-Iran conflict as per the article:

1. The war, named 'Operation Epic Fury', began with coordinated US-Israel strikes on February 28, 2026, resulting in the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

2. Iran responded by opening the Strait of Hormuz to all international shipping to ease global oil supply concerns.

3. The Ras Laffan LNG facility in Qatar, the world's largest, was attacked by Iran in retaliation for strikes on its South Pars gas field.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMediumUPSC, SSC

According to the article, what approximate percentage of India's Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) imports comes from Qatar and the United Arab Emirates combined?

Q4Application/ImpactMediumUPSC

What is the primary strategic implication of Iran's decision to close the Strait of Hormuz, as described in the article?

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Iran Strikes Ras Laffan LNG, Israel Hits South Pars Gas Field; Strait of Hormuz Blocked as Brent Crude Surges to $113/Barrel

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

1-Minute Revision

News Snapshot

Energy War Escalation

Hormuz Blockade

US-Israel Rift

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

Core Analysis & Implications

Geopolitical & Alliance Dynamics

Future Outlook / Way Forward

Prelims Flashpoints

Key Facts at a Glance