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

Examiners may confuse the three disputed islands (Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb) with other islands in the Strait (Qeshm, Hormuz, Larak) that are under undisputed Iranian control. They may also ask about the year of control (1971) or the percentage of global oil supply through the Strait (one-fifth).

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

1. Target this Data: Iran assumed control of the three islands (Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb) in 1971. 2. Target this Nodal Body: U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) conducted the airstrikes. 3. Target this Legal Point: The dispute between Iran and UAE over sovereignty of the islands, with no provisional agreement for the Tunb islands.

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US Airstrikes on Greater Tunb Island: Iran's Strategic Control Over Strait of Hormuz Dispute with UAE

Q: Which U.S. military command conducted the airstrikes on Greater Tunb Island?

U.S. Central Command, The article explicitly states that the U.S. military's Central Command (CENTCOM) launched the airstrikes. CENTCOM is responsible for U.S. security interests in the Middle East and parts of Central Asia.

Q: Consider the following statements: 1. Greater Tunb Island is located near the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for global oil trade. 2. Iran and the UAE have a provisional agreement governing responsibilities for the Tunb islands. 3. The U.S. airstrikes on Greater Tunb lasted 90 minutes. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Both 1 and 3, Statement 1 is correct as the article states Greater Tunb overlooks the approach to the Strait of Hormuz, through which one-fifth of the world's oil passes. Statement 2 is incorrect because the article explicitly says there is no agreement, provisional or otherwise, for the Tunb islands. Statement 3 is correct as Central Command said the operation lasted 90 minutes.

Q: In which year did Iran assume control of Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa islands?

1971, The article states that Iran assumed control of the three islands in 1971, when the Shah of Iran occupied them as Britain was relinquishing its presence in the region. This is a key factual detail for prelims.

Q: What is the primary strategic significance of the Tunb islands for Iran?

They provide leverage over shipping movements through the Strait of Hormuz., The article quotes analysts stating that control of the islands would provide significant leverage over shipping movements through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial chokepoint for global oil supplies. The other options are not supported by the article.

Intl. Relations Security & Defence EnvironmentCORE

Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains HighStatic GK Link

16 Jul 2026

~2 min

Source: The Hindu

Key Data:197190 minutesone-fifth of global oil supply

Bodies:U.S. Central CommandIranUAE

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~2 min · Quick mode

What This Article Covers

1.US airstrikes targeted Iranian defence installations on Greater Tunb Island in the Strait of Hormuz on July 15, 2026.

2.Greater Tunb, along with Lesser Tunb and Abu Musa, has been under Iranian control since 1971, disputed by the UAE.

3.The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint for about one-fifth of the world's oil supply, making these islands strategically vital.

The Big Picture

Prelims · HighMains · High

US Central Command launched airstrikes on Greater Tunb Island, an Iranian-controlled island near the Strait of Hormuz, targeting Iranian defence installations. This escalation follows a collapsed truce and a reimposed naval blockade, highlighting the strategic importance of these disputed islands in controlling global oil shipping lanes.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Date of AirstrikesJuly 15, 2026

Duration of Operation90 minutes

Islands Disputed (Iran-UAE)Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb

Year of Iranian Control1971

Global Oil Supply Through StraitOne-fifth

1-Minute Revision

›Date of Airstrikes: July 15, 2026
›Duration of Operation: 90 minutes
›Target this Data: Iran assumed control of the three islands (Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb) in 1971.
›Target this Nodal Body: U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) conducted the airstrikes.
›Target this Legal Point: The dispute between Iran and UAE over sovereignty of the islands, with no provisional agreement for the Tunb islands.

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News Snapshot

✈️

US Airstrikes on Greater Tunb

US Central Command launched a 90-minute airstrike on Greater Tunb Island, targeting Iranian defence installations to degrade its ability to attack commercial shipping.

⚔️

Iran-UAE Territorial Dispute

Iran has controlled Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa since 1971, but the UAE maintains its sovereign claim over these islands, a long-standing source of tension.

🛳️

Strategic Strait of Hormuz

The islands overlook the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway through which about one-fifth of the world's oil supply passes, giving Iran significant leverage over shipping.

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

The airstrikes on Greater Tunb Island are part of a broader escalation between the US and Iran following the collapse of a fragile truce. The US has reimposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports, and Tehran has threatened to disrupt regional energy exports. The islands were occupied by the Shah of Iran in November 1971 as Britain relinquished its presence from its base in Ras al Khaimah (now part of the UAE). Unlike Abu Musa, no provisional agreement governs the Tunb islands.

Core Analysis & Implications

Greater Tunb's location at the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz gives Iran a strategic advantage in monitoring and influencing maritime traffic. Control of these islands allows Iran to threaten the passage of oil tankers, impacting global energy security. The US strikes were explicitly designed to degrade Iran's ability to attack commercial shipping, highlighting the direct link between territorial control and economic warfare. The dispute between Iran and the UAE over these islands complicates regional diplomacy and remains a flashpoint in West Asian geopolitics.

Future Outlook / Way Forward

The US strikes signal a return to full-scale conflict after a truce collapse, raising risks of broader regional instability. Iran may retaliate by targeting shipping or deploying asymmetric naval tactics. The UAE's continued claim over the islands could lead to renewed diplomatic efforts, but Iran's de facto control and strategic interest make a resolution unlikely in the short term. The situation underscores the vulnerability of global oil supply chains to regional conflicts.

Key Facts at a Glance

Date of AirstrikesJuly 15, 2026

Duration of Operation90 minutes

Islands Disputed (Iran-UAE)Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb

Year of Iranian Control1971

Global Oil Supply Through StraitOne-fifth

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

Practice exam-style questions based on this article.

Q1Static LinkageEasyUPSC, SSC, Banking

Which U.S. military command conducted the airstrikes on Greater Tunb Island?

Q2Statement-basedHardUPSC, SSC

Consider the following statements:

1. Greater Tunb Island is located near the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for global oil trade.

2. Iran and the UAE have a provisional agreement governing responsibilities for the Tunb islands.

3. The U.S. airstrikes on Greater Tunb lasted 90 minutes.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMediumUPSC, SSC, Banking

In which year did Iran assume control of Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa islands?

Q4Application/ImpactMediumUPSC, SSC

What is the primary strategic significance of the Tunb islands for Iran?

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US Airstrikes on Greater Tunb Island: Iran's Strategic Control Over Strait of Hormuz Dispute with UAE

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

1-Minute Revision

News Snapshot

US Airstrikes on Greater Tunb

Iran-UAE Territorial Dispute

Strategic Strait of Hormuz

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

Core Analysis & Implications

Future Outlook / Way Forward

Prelims Flashpoints

Key Facts at a Glance