UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — U.S-Iran talks in doubt; truce expiring today
Q1. In the context of the global oil trade, the Strait of Hormuz is frequently described as a maritime "chokepoint." What does this term most precisely mean?
- A. A narrow, strategically located sea passage along a heavily used shipping route whose flow can be constrained or blocked
- B. A deep-water offshore terminal where crude oil is loaded onto very large tankers
- C. An international canal artificially cut through an isthmus to shorten a sea route
- D. A zone of overlapping exclusive economic zones where transit rights are disputed
Q2. Approximately how many million barrels of petroleum and crude oil pass through the Strait of Hormuz per day?
- A. About 5 million barrels per day
- B. About 10 million barrels per day
- C. About 20 million barrels per day
- D. About 35 million barrels per day
Q3. The ceasefire in the 2026 Iran war that the United States and Iran announced on 7–8 April 2026 was, as initially agreed, of what duration?
- A. One week
- B. Two weeks
- C. Sixty days
- D. Three months
Q4. The direct U.S.–Iran negotiations held at Islamabad on 11–12 April 2026 were described as the highest-level direct engagement between the two countries since which event?
- A. The 1953 coup in Iran
- B. The 1979 Iranian Revolution
- C. The 2015 signing of the JCPOA
- D. The 2025 Twelve-Day War
Q5. With reference to mediation in the 2026 Iran war, consider the following:
Which of the statements given below is/are correct?
- Pakistan hosted the April 2026 direct U.S.–Iran talks at Islamabad.
- The June 2026 memorandum of understanding was announced by Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
- Qatar, a leading natural-gas exporter, acted as a trusted regional mediator.
- The direct Islamabad talks were held between the U.S. Vice-President and Iran's Supreme Leader.
- A. 1, 2 and 3
- B. 1 and 4 only
- C. 2, 3 and 4
- D. 1, 3 and 4
Q6. The following actors are listed as third-party mediators facilitating the 2026 Iran-war ceasefire. Which of the above is/are NOT correctly identified as a mediator (being instead a belligerent party to the war)?
- Pakistan
- Qatar
- United States
- Israel
- A. 1 and 2 only
- B. 3 and 4 only
- C. 2, 3 and 4
- D. 4 only
Q7. With reference to the powers and functions of the UN Secretary-General under the Charter, consider the following:
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- Under Article 99, the Secretary-General may bring to the Security Council's attention any matter that may threaten international peace and security.
- The Secretary-General's 'good offices' comprise public and private steps drawing on his impartiality to prevent or settle disputes.
- The Security Council may request the Secretary-General to use his good offices for the pacific settlement of a dispute.
- Article 99 empowers the Secretary-General to impose a binding ceasefire on member states on his own authority.
- A. 1, 2 and 3
- B. 1, 2 and 4
- C. 2 and 3 only
- D. 1, 3 and 4
Q8. Under the UN Charter, binding ceasefire directives aimed at preventing or halting hostilities are issued by which principal organ of the United Nations?
- A. The General Assembly
- B. The Security Council
- C. The Economic and Social Council
- D. The International Court of Justice
Q9. Which is Iran's largest Persian Gulf port and principal naval hub, situated close to the Strait of Hormuz?
- A. Chabahar
- B. Bandar-e Bushehr
- C. Bandar Abbas
- D. Bandar Khomeini
Q10. According to recent Indian government statements on energy security, India currently imports crude oil from approximately how many countries?
- A. About 20 countries
- B. About 30 countries
- C. About 40 countries
- D. About 60 countries
Q11. The 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was concluded between Iran and exactly how many world powers (the group commonly styled the E3/EU+3, i.e. the P5+1)?
- A. Four
- B. Five
- C. Six
- D. Eight