UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — The U.S.-Israel attacks on Iran threaten global fuel trade

Q1. Which one of the following correctly describes the Strait of Hormuz, the chokepoint at the centre of the 2026 global fuel-trade crisis?

  • A. A narrow channel connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, lying between Yemen and Djibouti
  • B. A narrow channel connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman, lying between Iran and the Musandam Peninsula of Oman (with the UAE on the southern shore)
  • C. A narrow channel connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea, lying entirely within Egyptian territory
  • D. A narrow channel connecting the Andaman Sea to the South China Sea, lying between peninsular Malaysia and the Indonesian island of Sumatra

Q2. Which one of the following maritime chokepoints carried the largest share of global petroleum liquids consumption in 2024, making its disruption in early 2026 the single most consequential oil supply shock of recent times?

  • A. Strait of Malacca
  • B. Bab el-Mandeb
  • C. Strait of Hormuz
  • D. Suez Canal and the SUMED Pipeline (combined)

Q3. With reference to the joint U.S.-Israel military campaign against Iran launched in early 2026, consider the following statements: 1. The United States designated its component of the campaign as 'Operation Epic Fury', whereas Israel designated its component as 'Operation Roaring Lion'. 2. The campaign commenced on 28 February 2026. 3. The campaign was authorised by a Chapter VII enforcement resolution of the UN Security Council. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The United States designated its component of the campaign as 'Operation Epic Fury', whereas Israel designated its component as 'Operation Roaring Lion'.
  2. The campaign commenced on 28 February 2026.
  3. The campaign was authorised by a Chapter VII enforcement resolution of the UN Security Council.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q4. The draft UN Security Council resolution of April 2026, sponsored by Gulf States to safeguard international navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, failed to pass because it was vetoed by which of the following pair of permanent members?

  • A. China and France
  • B. Russia and the United States
  • C. China and Russia
  • D. Russia and the United Kingdom

Q5. With reference to the geography of the Strait of Hormuz, consider the following countries: 1. Iran 2. Oman 3. United Arab Emirates 4. Saudi Arabia Which of the above is/are NOT correctly identified as a country having a coastline directly on the Strait of Hormuz?

  1. Iran
  2. Oman
  3. United Arab Emirates
  4. Saudi Arabia
  • A. 4 only
  • B. 2 and 4 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 3 and 4 only