News & Analysis thehindu.com

Trump ‘seriously considering’ launching new strikes against Iran: report

23 May 2026 Source

Exam Summary

U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly considering new military strikes against Iran if ongoing last-minute negotiations fail to produce a peace deal. Diplomatic efforts involving Pakistan and Qatar are underway to mediate, while U.S. officials express frustration but also note 'slight progress' in talks. Trump emphasized that Iran cannot possess nuclear weapons and indicated a desire for a 'decisive' military operation if diplomacy fails.

GS Paper 2: International Relations

UPSC concepts in this story

These are durable syllabus ideas — use them for revision, not article memory.

US-Iran Relations

Examines the complex historical, political, and economic dynamics between the United States and Iran, including periods of confrontation and attempts at dipl...

International Relations 11 PYQs 1 developments

Nuclear Proliferation

Encompasses the spread of nuclear weapons, fissionable material, and weapons-applicable nuclear technology and information to states or non-state actors, alo...

International Relations 2 PYQs 1 developments

Exam Themes

International Relations Geopolitics & International Conflicts

Prelims Takeaways

  • Understanding the current geopolitical tensions between the US and Iran.
  • Awareness of key actors involved in West Asian diplomacy (US, Iran, Pakistan, Qatar, Israel).
  • The role of NATO in broader international security discussions (NATO Foreign Ministers meeting).
  • The significance of Iran's nuclear program as a point of contention.
  • Key individuals in US foreign policy and defense establishment (President, VP, SecDef, SecState, CIA Director).

Elimination Traps

  • Confusing the specific roles of various US officials mentioned.
  • Misinterpreting the current status of negotiations (e.g., assuming a deal is imminent or completely off).
  • Incorrectly identifying the countries involved in the mediation efforts.

Static Concepts

  • International diplomacy
  • Nuclear proliferation
  • Foreign policy decision-making
  • Regional security
  • International negotiations

Probable Question Areas

Question areas
  • Questions on the current state of US-Iran relations and their historical context.
Question areas
  • Questions on the nuclear non-proliferation regime and Iran's nuclear program.
Question areas
  • Questions on the geopolitical significance of the West Asian region.
Question areas
  • Questions on the roles of international organizations like NATO.
Question areas
  • Match the following Leaders/Officials with their respective countries/roles.
Conceptual Recurrence

Related Prelims PYQs

Ranked by topic match, theme match, recency, and recurring UPSC patterns.

UPSC Prelims 2018 International Relations

The term "two-state solution" is sometimes mentioned in the news in the context of the affairs of -

  1. A. China
  2. B. Israel
  3. C. Iraq
  4. D. Yemen
Explanation
Correct answer
B. Israel

The Two-State Solution is used in the context of the Israel-Palestine issue. It envisages an independent State of Palestine alongside the State of Israel west of the Jordan River.

International Relations Current Affairs Geopolitics & International Conflicts
UPSC Prelims 2023 International Relations

Consider the following statements:
Statement-I :Israel has established diplomatic relations with some Arab States.
Statement-II :The 'Arab Peace Initiative' Mediated by Saudi Arabia was signed by Israel and Arab League.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement- II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
  2. B. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement- II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
  3. C. Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
  4. D. Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
Explanation
Correct answer
C. Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect

* Statement I is correct: Several Arab states, including Egypt, Jordan, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan, have established diplomatic relations with Israel. * Statement II is incorrect: The Arab Peace Initiative, mediated by Saudi Arabia, was endorsed by the Arab League but not signed by Israel. It outlines a path towards peace in exchange for Israeli concessions, but Israel has not formally accepted all its terms.

International Relations Geopolitics & International Conflicts
UPSC Prelims 2016 International Relations

Consider the following statements regarding the India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS):
1. The summit held in 2015 marked the third edition of the IAFS.
2. The IAFS mechanism was instituted under the leadership of Jawaharlal Nehru in 1951.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. A. 1 only
  2. B. 2 only
  3. C. Both 1 and 2
  4. D. Neither 1 nor 2
Explanation
Correct answer
A. 1 only

Statement 1 is correct: The Third India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS-III) was hosted in New Delhi in October 2015. The first and second summits were held in 2008 (New Delhi) and 2011 (Addis Ababa), respectively, making the 2015 event the third edition. Statement 2 is incorrect: The India-Africa Forum Summit was institutionalized in 2008 to serve as the official platform for African-Indian relations. While Jawaharlal Nehru was a pioneer of Afro-Asian solidarity (e.g., the Asian Relations Conference of 1947), the IAFS is a distinct 21st-century initiative and was not established in 1951.

International Relations Geopolitics & International Conflicts
UPSC Prelims 2017 International Relations

Consider the following statements:

1. The Nuclear Security Summits are periodically held under the aegis of the United Nations.
2. The International Panel on Fissile Materials is an organ of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. A. 1 only
  2. B. 2 only
  3. C. Both 1 and 2
  4. D. Neither 1 nor 2
Explanation
Correct answer
D. Neither 1 nor 2

Statement 1 is incorrect. The Nuclear Security Summits were not held under the UN. They were a series of international conferences initiated by the United States in 2010, outside of any formal international organisation. The summits brought together world leaders to discuss ways to secure nuclear materials and prevent nuclear proliferation. However, the summits haven't been held since 2016. Statement 2 is incorrect. The International Panel on Fissile Materials (IPFM) is an independent group of arms control and non-proliferation experts. It's not an organ of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). While the IAEA might collaborate with the IPFM on some issues, it's a separate entity.

International Relations Geopolitics & International Conflicts
UPSC Prelims 2025 International Relations

Consider the following countries:

I. Austria
II. Bulgaria
III. Croatia
IV. Serbia
V. Sweden
VI. North Macedonia

How many of the above are members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization?

  1. A. Only three
  2. B. Only four
  3. C. Only five
  4. D. All the six
Explanation
Correct answer
B. Only four

❌ I. Austria - Not a NATO member (maintains neutrality). ✅ II.Bulgaria - NATO member (joined in 2004). ✅ III. Croatia - NATO member (joined in 2009). ❌ IV.Serbia - Not a NATO member (participates in Partnership for Peace, but not a full member). ✅ V. Sweden - NATO member (officially joined in March 2024). ✅ VI. North Macedonia - NATO member (joined in 2020). So, four of the listed countries are members of NATO: Bulgaria, Croatia, Sweden, and North Macedonia.

International Relations Current Affairs Geopolitics & International Conflicts
UPSC Prelims 2018 International Relations

In the Indian context, what is the implication of ratifying the 'Additional Protocol' with the `International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)'?

  1. A. The civilian nuclear reactors come under IAEA safeguards.
  2. B. The military nuclear installations come under the inspection of IAEA.
  3. C. The country will have the privilege to buy uranium from the Nuclear Suppliers Group NSG.
  4. D. The country automatically becomes a member of the NSG.
Explanation
Correct answer
A. The civilian nuclear reactors come under IAEA safeguards.

India signed the Additional Protocol to the IAEA safeguards agreement on May 15, 2009. An additional protocol to the Safeguards Agreement between the Government of India and the IAEA for the Application of Safeguards to Civilian Nuclear Facilities entered into force on 25 July 2014. Hence option 1 is correct.

International Relations Geopolitics & International Conflicts
UPSC Prelims 2017 International Relations

Consider the following in respect of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS):

1. Inaugural IONS was held in India in 2015 under the chairmanship of the Indian Navy.
2. IONS is a voluntary initiative that seeks to increase maritime co-operation among the navies of the littoral states of the Indian Ocean Region.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

  1. A. 1 only
  2. B. 2 only
  3. C. Both 1 and 2
  4. D. Neither 1 nor 2
Explanation
Correct answer
B. 2 only

Statement 1 is incorrect. The inaugural IONS was held in February 2008 in New Delhi, India. The Indian Navy served as the Chair for the first two years (2008-2010). Statement 2 is correct. IONS is indeed a voluntary initiative that aims to promote maritime cooperation among the navies of countries bordering the Indian Ocean. It provides a platform for discussions on regional maritime security issues and fosters friendly relationships between participating nations.

International Relations Current Affairs Geopolitics & International Conflicts
UPSC Prelims 2016 International Relations

Which of the following is not a member of ‘Gulf Cooperation Council’?

  1. A. Iran
  2. B. Saudi Arabia
  3. C. Oman
  4. D. Kuwait
Explanation
Correct answer
A. Iran

The Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, originally (and still colloquially) known as the Gulf Cooperation Council, is a regional intergovernmental political and economic union consisting of all Arab states of the Persian Gulf except Iran. Its member states are Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. The Charter of the Gulf Cooperation Council was signed on 25 May 1981, formally establishing the institution. Hence, option A is the correct answer.

International Relations Geopolitics & International Conflicts
UPSC Prelims 2015 International Relations

In the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation, an initiative of six countries, which of the following is/are not participant/ participants?
1. Bangladesh
2. Cambodia
3. China
4. Myanmar
5. Thailand

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

  1. A. 1 only
  2. B. 2, 3 and 4
  3. C. 1 and 3 only
  4. D. 1, 2 and 5 only
Explanation
Correct answer
C. 1 and 3 only

All 6 participants of the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation are member countries bordering the basins of the Mekong and Ganga rivers, aiming to collaborate on various initiatives. These countries are: - India - Cambodia - Laos - Myanmar - Thailand - Vietnam Hence, China & Bangladesh are not part of the Mekong-Ganga Corporation.

International Relations Geopolitics & International Conflicts
UPSC Prelims 2025 International Relations

India is one of the founding members of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), a multimodal transportation corridor, which will connect

  1. A. India to Central Asia to Europe via Iran
  2. B. India to Central Asia via China
  3. C. India to South-East Asia through Bangladesh and Myanmar
  4. D. India to Europe through Azerbaijan
Explanation
Correct answer
A. India to Central Asia to Europe via Iran

The International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) is a multimodal transport network aimed at boosting trade between India, Central Asia, Russia, and Europe, using a combination of sea, rail, and road routes via Iran. The corridor connects Mumbai → Bandar Abbas (Iran) → Azerbaijan → Russia → Europe, with access to Central Asia.

International Relations Geopolitics & International Conflicts