UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — On the second phase of U.S.-Iran war

Question 1

In the Strait of Hormuz, the waters and shipping approaches north of the main shipping lanes are controlled by which one of the following countries?

Accepted Answer

Iran

Answer

Iraq

Answer

Oman

Answer

United Arab Emirates

Question 2

The Strait of Hormuz is the principal maritime export route for petroleum from several Gulf producers. With reference to the countries whose petroleum exports are principally routed through the Strait of Hormuz, which one of the following is NOT correctly included?

Accepted Answer

3 only

Answer

1 only

Answer

2 and 4

Answer

1, 2 and 4

Question 3

With reference to the June 2026 Iran-U.S. ceasefire Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the Strait of Hormuz, consider the following statements:
1. It was signed by U.S. President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
2. It required commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz to be reinstated within 30 days.
3. Under it, Iran was to work with Qatar to define the future administration and maritime services of the strait.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

1 and 2 only

Answer

1 and 3 only

Answer

2 and 3 only

Answer

1, 2 and 3

Question 4

The June 2026 interim Memorandum of Understanding that established a temporary free-passage window through the Strait of Hormuz was brokered exclusively through the mediation of which one of the following countries?

Accepted Answer

Pakistan

Answer

Qatar

Answer

Oman

Answer

Switzerland

Question 5

Iran's Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA), which mandates a valid passage permit for every vessel transiting the Strait of Hormuz, was established in which one of the following?

Accepted Answer

May 2026

Answer

June 2026

Answer

August 2025

Answer

June 2025

Question 6

Under the initial agreement, for how many days was passage through the Strait of Hormuz to remain free of charge before Iran/the PGSA could begin levying tolls?

Accepted Answer

60 days

Answer

30 days

Answer

90 days

Answer

180 days

Question 7

Which specialised United Nations agency condemned the attacks on shipping in and around the Strait of Hormuz and, along with Oman, designated a new transit route passing only through Omani territorial waters?

Accepted Answer

International Maritime Organization (IMO)

Answer

International Seabed Authority (ISA)

Answer

UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)

Answer

International Hydrographic Organization (IHO)

Question 8

With reference to the negotiation tracks in the second-phase Iran-U.S. dispute, consider the following statements:
1. The talks at the Swiss resort of Burgenstock produced a roadmap aimed at a final agreement within 60 days.
2. The Doha talks, facilitated by Qatar, focused on maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz and the unfreezing of Iran's funds.
3. Every round of negotiations between the two sides was held solely on Iranian soil.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

1 and 2 only

Answer

2 and 3 only

Answer

1 and 3 only

Answer

1, 2 and 3

Question 9

Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), up to what breadth may a coastal State establish its territorial sea, within which straits such as Hormuz fall?

Accepted Answer

12 nautical miles

Answer

24 nautical miles

Answer

100 nautical miles

Answer

200 nautical miles

Question 10

Under UNCLOS, which regime of passage applies to ships and aircraft in straits used for international navigation — such as the Strait of Hormuz — replacing the ordinary regime of innocent passage?

Accepted Answer

Transit passage

Answer

Innocent passage

Answer

Archipelagic sea lanes passage

Answer

Freedom of the high seas

Question 11

Which one of the following was the single largest source of India's liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports in 2025?

Accepted Answer

Qatar

Answer

United Arab Emirates

Answer

United States

Answer

Russia

Question 12

Under the June 2026 MoU, Iran was to work with which single third-party state — whose Musandam exclave forms the southern shore of the Strait of Hormuz — to define the strait's future administration and maritime services?

Accepted Answer

Oman

Answer

Qatar

Answer

United Arab Emirates

Answer

Pakistan

UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — On the second phase of U.S.-Iran war

Q1. In the Strait of Hormuz, the waters and shipping approaches north of the main shipping lanes are controlled by which one of the following countries?

Q2. The Strait of Hormuz is the principal maritime export route for petroleum from several Gulf producers. With reference to the countries whose petroleum exports are principally routed through the Strait of Hormuz, which one of the following is NOT correctly included?

Q4. The June 2026 interim Memorandum of Understanding that established a temporary free-passage window through the Strait of Hormuz was brokered exclusively through the mediation of which one of the following countries?

Q5. Iran's Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA), which mandates a valid passage permit for every vessel transiting the Strait of Hormuz, was established in which one of the following?

Q6. Under the initial agreement, for how many days was passage through the Strait of Hormuz to remain free of charge before Iran/the PGSA could begin levying tolls?

Q7. Which specialised United Nations agency condemned the attacks on shipping in and around the Strait of Hormuz and, along with Oman, designated a new transit route passing only through Omani territorial waters?

Q9. Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), up to what breadth may a coastal State establish its territorial sea, within which straits such as Hormuz fall?

Q10. Under UNCLOS, which regime of passage applies to ships and aircraft in straits used for international navigation — such as the Strait of Hormuz — replacing the ordinary regime of innocent passage?

Q11. Which one of the following was the single largest source of India's liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports in 2025?

Q12. Under the June 2026 MoU, Iran was to work with which single third-party state — whose Musandam exclave forms the southern shore of the Strait of Hormuz — to define the strait's future administration and maritime services?