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UPSC Issue at a Glance is a new initiative of UPSC Essentials to consolidate your prelims and mains exam preparation on an issue that has been in the news. Every Thursday, cover a new topic in Q&A format and don’t miss MCQs, Points to Ponder and key takeaways. Also, don’t forget to check the answers of MCQs towards the end of the article. Let’s get started!
On April 14, Iran launched hundreds of drones and missiles towards Israel, in retaliation for an Israeli attack on its consulate that occurred in Damascus, Syria, two weeks ago. Several senior Iranian generals were killed and Iran vowed to respond. As this conflict is a major issue in the news, aspirants must understand it from both factual and analytical perspectives.
Syllabus:
Preliminary: Current events of national and international importance.
Mains: GS-II: International Relations, Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests.
Other areas of relevance: Aspirants will find it useful in Essays, Personality tests and Current affairs.
What will you learn from this article? |
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Question 1: What is the history of Iranian-Israeli cooperation and conflict?
Answer: Given the current state of conflict between Israel and Iran, people may easily overlook the years of cooperative relations between these two nations. Thus, knowing about the historical ties between Iran and Israel becomes crucial.
(i) Pre-1979 Iran-Israel ties: In 1948, the opposition of Arab states to Israel led to the first Arab-Israeli war. Iran was not a part of that conflict, and after Israel won, it established ties with the Jewish state. It was the second Muslim-majority country to do so after Turkey. In this phase of relations, As an analysis from the Brookings Institute (‘Iran’s revolution, 40 years on: Israel’s reverse periphery doctrine’) notes, Israel tried to counter the hostility of Arab states at the time with the “periphery doctrine” under its first Prime Minister David Ben Gurion.
| Do you Know? |
| Iran was one of the first countries in the region to recognise Israel after its formation in 1948. It was only after 1979 that their diplomatic ties ended. |
(ii) The 1979 Revolution: In this phase, a religious state was established in Iran after the Shah was overthrown in the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The regime’s view of Israel changed, and it was seen as an occupier of Palestinian land. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khomeini termed Israel “Little Satan” and the United States the “Great Satan”, seeing the two as parties interfering in the region. Iran also sought to grow its presence in the region, challenging the two major powers Saudi Arabia and Israel – both of whom were US allies.
(iii) A Shadow War after 1979: After 1979, the ties between the countries worsened. While Israel and Iran have never engaged in direct military confrontation, both have attempted to inflict damage on the other through proxies and limited strategic attacks. Israel has attacked Iranian nuclear facilities from time to time. In the early 2010s, it targeted several facilities and nuclear scientists in a bid to prevent it from developing nuclear weapons. In 2010, the US and Israel are believed to have developed Stuxnet, a malicious computer virus. Used to attack a uranium enrichment facility at Iran’s Natanz nuclear site, it was the “first publicly known cyberattack on industrial machinery”, according to Reuters. Iran, meanwhile, is seen as responsible for funding and supporting several militant groups in the region that are anti-Israel and anti-US, such as Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. This support was why concerns of a widening conflict or a confrontation have been raised in the last few months.
Points to Ponder:
— What was the Arab-Israeli war? What was the Yom Kippur War?
— What is the “periphery doctrine”?
— What do you understand about the idea of “pan-Arabism”?
Post Read Question:
Prelims
1. What was “Stuxnet”?
(a) Robotic chopper
(b) Surface-to-surface missile.
(c) Malicious computer virus.
(d) Intercontinental missile
2. To which country is the Pahlavi dynasty related?
(a) Israel
(b) Iran
(c) Yemen
(d) Palestine
(Source: Explained: A short history of Iran-Israel ties and why they soured after 1979)
Answer: Although Iran and Israel have a long history of bitter conflict and covert military actions against each other, this is the first time Iran has launched a direct attack of this scale aimed at targets within Israel. The following are the key points:
(i) Airstrike on the Iranian Embassy: Israeli war jets attacked an Iranian consulate building in Damascus, Syria, on April 2. This attack became the immediate cause of the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel.
(ii) Assassination of Iran’s Army General: In January 2020, Qasem Soleimani was killed by an American drone strike on the premises of Baghdad International Airport, Iraq. Soleimani was a popular leader in the Iranian military, widely seen as the second-most powerful figure in the country behind the Supreme Leader of Iran. The Iranians retaliated with Operation Martyr Soleimani.
(iii) Iranian support to Hamas: The US and Israel accuse Iran of having a hand in the Hamas attacks. A.K. Ramakrishnan writes, “It (Iran) has rejected accusations that it was involved in the planning and operation of the Hamas attack; Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations has written to the Secretary-General denying any direct involvement of his country. However, Hamas has indeed received Iran’s support over the years, and Iranian officials have acknowledged this on several occasions.”
Points to Ponder:
— What is Israel’s problem with the Quds Force?
— What was “Operation Martyr Soleimani”?
— What is ‘Operation Al Aqsa Storm’?
| Do you Know? |
| The Quds Force is the paramilitary and intelligence wing of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRCG). The IRCG was set up in 1979. After the 1979 Islamic Revolution, a theocratic state was established in Iran following the removal of the ruling Shah from power. For its protection, the IRCG was created to deal with both domestic and external threats.
To know more read: What is Iran’s Quds Force, the military unit that Soleimani headed |
Post Read Question:
Prelims
3. Consider the following statements:
1. The Quds Force is the paramilitary and intelligence wing of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRCG).
2. IRCG was created to deal with external threats only.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are not correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 Nor 2
Mains
What is Tehran’s relationship with the Palestinians, and where does Iran fit into the complex matrix of geopolitics in the Middle East?
(Source: Why has Israel killed Iranian generals in Syria and who are the Quds Force?, Who was Qassem Soleimani, the Iranian general killed by the US in 2020?, An Expert Explains: Iran’s role in the Israel-Hamas crisis )
Answer: The situation in the Middle East remains tense as Israel and Iran engage in direct strikes, escalating the conflict and causing wider ramifications.
(i) Regional Instability: Sanjay Bhattacharyya writes- “The conflict does not augur well for regional peace, stability, economic growth, and development. Israel, as a major economic and technological power, stands to lose much in a prolonged war. Many Arab countries, which sought a brighter future in closer cooperation with Israel, also wish to see the end of the conflict.”
(ii) Economic Impact: Conflict in the region also affects others across the world, not merely in terms of increased oil prices but also the weakening of supply chains. Any major supply disruption in the wider region as a result of the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel could impact supplies as well as prices. With the Suez Canal-Red Sea shipping route already impacted by attacks from Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, a major disruption around the Strait of Hormuz could take a massive toll on global and regional oil flows.
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Speculative and Real Risks Associated with the Rising Tensions Between Iran and Israel |
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| Speculative | Real |
| 1. Potential supply disruptions | 1. Costlier crude oil |
| 2. Risk of piracy and hostage-taking | 2. Regional Instability |
| What do you think are the potential risks of the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel? Share your thoughts in the comments box.
Also Refer: Iran-Israel conflict: Escalation could cast shadow on India’s oil trade |
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(iii) Impact on Global South and Global Governance: The Global South and global governance would also be impacted by continuing instability in the Middle East.
As the current escalation can have wider ramifications, it is crucial that the international community urges all parties to avoid further violence and instead engage in diplomatic negotiations to resolve the current escalation and prevent wider ramifications.
Sanjay Bhattacharyya writes– “The two-state solution is the only way ahead for long-term security, peace and stability. It is not an easy goal, but both sides are familiar with the challenges and opportunities. The cycle of violence must end and the rights and aspirations of the people must be met.”
Points to Ponder:
— How is the two-state solution the only way ahead for long-term security, peace, and stability in the Middle East?
— How does the rising number of conflicts among the various countries and the war in the Middle East show the deinstitutionalization of global politics?
Post Read Question:
Prelims
4. The term “two-state solution” is sometimes mentioned in the news in the context of the affairs of (2018)
(a) China
(b) Israel
(c) Iraq
(d) Yemen
Mains
“Iran and Israel have for long been in confrontation and have waged attacks on each other through militia in foreign lands or covert operations, the current escalation has wider ramifications.” Comment.
(Source: Iran-Israel conflict: Escalation could cast shadow on India’s oil trade, What Iran-Israel conflict means for Middle East and India)
Answer: India is friendly with both countries and has been able to balance its relationship with both for years.
India and Israel
(i) Economic Relations: India established diplomatic relations with Israel in 1992. Since then, trade between the two countries has been rising significantly. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) brief on foreign relations, India is Israel’s second-largest trading partner in Asia and the seventh-largest globally.
(ii) Strategic Relationship: Shubhajit Roy writes- “India has a very deep strategic relationship with Israel, especially in the context of defence and security partnership. In the last decade or so, it has grown and has been made public — unlike in the past.”
(iii) Cooperation in Defence Sector: Shubhajit Roy writes- “Israel has also emerged as a major defence supplier, along with the US, France and Russia, and New Delhi remembers that it has stepped up to help during times of crisis, including the Kargil war in 1999.”
India and Iran
(i) Economic Relations: In 2022-23, Iran was India’s 59th biggest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching $2.33 billion.
(ii) Strategic Relationship: Shubhajit Roy writes- “India has managed to maintain a strategic relationship with Iran, as Tehran has been one of the major suppliers of crude — which has suffered setbacks due to sanctions. Besides, both countries have shared concerns on terrorism emanating from Pakistan and Afghanistan. Chabahar is another strategic economic project, which acts as a gateway to Afghanistan and Central Asia.”
In the context of such deep ties with both Israel and Iran, New Delhi has difficulty in choosing sides.
How will an escalation between the two countries have direct and tangible consequences for India?
Shubhajit Roy writes- For New Delhi, a potential escalation as a result of the tension means an impact on mainly three accounts: its people, its economic interests and strategic needs.
(i) Firstly, while there are about 18,000 Indians in Israel and about 5,000-10,000 Indians in Iran, about 90 lakh people are living and working in the Gulf and West Asia region. Any conflict that expands will end up posing a risk to the Indian community that is based in the region.
(ii) Secondly, “India’s economic interests are tied to energy security — the West Asia region contributes to India’s 80 per cent of oil supplies, which a potential conflict will impact.”.
Sukalp Sharma writes- “India currently does not import Iranian oil as Tehran is under sanctions from the United States (US). However, another major buyer — China — does import large volumes of Iranian oil. If the conflict leads to Iranian supply getting hit, India’s competition with China for oil barrels from other suppliers — particularly Russia — is bound to intensify. India and China are currently the biggest buyers of the discounted Russian crude.”
According to the think tank Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), there is unlikely to be any rise in petrol prices in India as a result of ongoing tensions in the Middle East. However, there could be some impact due to tensions in the Red Sea, which lies at the crucial trade route connecting Europe and Asia. Roughly 12 per cent of global trade is dependent on this route.
| Do you Know? |
| India is the world’s third-largest consumer of crude oil and depends on imports to meet over 85 per cent of its requirements. |
(iii) Thirdly, India has invested in a strategic relationship with major Arab countries, Iran, and Israel. New Delhi sees the region as its extended neighbourhood, and it has been working with all sides in the turbulent region to push for the India-Middle-East-Europe Economic corridor, which has strategic as well as economic benefits for Delhi. A conflict has the potential to unravel the consensus that has been built around the peace in the otherwise combustible region.
In this context, India’s position that there should be “immediate de-escalation” and “step back from violence” and “return to the path of diplomacy” is, therefore, crucial to its national interest.
Points to Ponder:
— What impact could renewed tensions in the Middle East have on the Indian economy?
— Why does India not want Iran -Israel tensions to escalate?
(Thought Process: Build on the following points – India has invested in a strategic relationship with major Arab countries, Iran, and Israel- India’s economic interests are tied to energy security, the West Asia region contributes to India’s 80 percent of oil supplies- Risk to the Indian community that is based in the region.)
— What is the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC)?
— What is India’s Middle East policy?
— What is the significance of the Chabahar Port for India?
— What are the major air defence systems of India?
Post Read Questions:
Prelims
5. What is the importance of developing Chabahar Port by India? (2017)
(a) India’s trade with African countries will increase enormously.
(b) India’s relations with oil-producing Arab countries will be strengthened.
(c) India will not depend on Pakistan for access to Afghanistan and Central Asia.
(d) Pakistan will facilitate and protect the installation of a gas pipeline between Iraq and India.
Mains
1. The Middle East is one of the most successful regions for Indian diplomacy over the last decade but it continues to test Delhi’s ability to navigate the region’s competing imperatives. Discuss.
2. “India’s relations with Israel have, of late, acquired a depth and diversity, which cannot be rolled back.” Discuss. (2018)
(Source: India’s stakes in Iran-Israel conflict — and why it does not want tensions to escalate, Where India’s trade with Israel and Iran stands, and whether regional tensions could impact it, Iran-Israel crisis: 4 key shifts in India’s Middle East diplomacy, Explained: How has India’s policy on Israel and Palestine evolved over time? , Cost and benefit: Israel’s very expensive defence against aerial threats )
Answer: Since the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel, there have been concerns over a widening war in the region beset by years of conflict between countries on religious and ethnic lines. The presence of militant groups also adds to the instability and tensions in the Middle East, as they form an anti-US, anti-West “axis of resistance”. Additionally, there are thousands of Iran-backed fighters in Syria and Iraq. Here is a look at some of the major groups:
| Group | Description | Read more |
| Hamas | Hamas, a Sunni Islamist militant group, has been running the region of Gaza since 2007. It opposes Zionism. | Explained: Hamas, the Palestinian militant group |
| Palestine Islamic Jihad (PIJ) | The Palestine Islamic Jihad (PIJ) is another Sunni Islamist militant group. It aims to establish an Islamic state in Palestine. | Explained: Palestinian Islamic Jihad |
| Hezbollah | Hezbollah, meaning “Party of God”, is a Shiite militant organisation that was set up by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards in 1982 to fight Israeli forces that had invaded Lebanon that year. | Explained: Hezbollah? |
| Houthis | The Houthis are a militant group that has been fighting the civil war in Yemen for a decade. | Explained: Houthis |
Tel Aviv, Damascus, Tehran, key countries of the region: Egypt, Iran, Israel, Qatar, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Red Sea, Strait of Hormuz, Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden, Bab-el-Mandeb, Suez Canal, Isfahan, Ashkelon. (Refer your Atlas)
Points to Ponder:
— What is ‘axis of resistance’?
— Who are the Iran-backed regional groups of concern and why?
— Which countries classify Hamas as a “terrorist organization”?
Post Read Question:
Prelims
6. Which of the pair(s) given below is/are correctly matched?
1. Houthi: Yemen
2. Hezbollah: Jordan
3. Hamas: Palestine
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
7. The Mediterranean Sea is a border of which of the following countries? (2017)
1. Jordan
2. Iraq
3. Lebanon
4. Syria
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 3 and 4 only
8. Which one of the following countries of South-West Asia does not open out to the Mediterranean Sea? (2015)
(a) Syria
(b) Jordan
(c) Lebanon
(d) Israel
Mains
Who are the Shia Houthis, and why are they aligned with the Sunni Palestinian Hamas?
(Source: Iran launches attacks on Israel: Who are the Iran-backed regional groups of concern?, Which countries recognise Hamas as a ‘terrorist’ organisation?)
| Prelims Answer Key |
| 1. (c) A malicious computer virus. 2. (b) Iran 3. (c) Both 1 and 2 4. (b) Israel 5. (c) India will not depend on Pakistan for access to Afghanistan and Central Asia. 6. (c) 1 and 3 only 7. (c) 3 and 4 only 8. (b) Jordan |
Edited by Manas Srivastava
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