UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Iran suspends U.S. talks as Israel bombs Lebanon
Q1. The United States formally withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and reimposed sanctions on Iran in which one of the following years?
- A. 2015
- B. 2016
- C. 2018
- D. 2020
Q2. In the context of Iran's nuclear programme, uranium described as 'weapons-grade' is enriched to approximately which one of the following purity levels?
- A. 3.67 per cent
- B. 20 per cent
- C. 60 per cent
- D. 90 per cent
Q3. With reference to Hezbollah and the Israel–Lebanon conflict, consider the following statements:
1. Hezbollah emerged as a Shia militia in Lebanon following the Israeli invasion of 1982.
2. Hezbollah is regarded as a key component of the Iran-led Axis of Resistance.
3. The 2006 Israel–Hezbollah war was brought to an end by UN Security Council Resolution 1701.
4. Hezbollah was founded as a Sunni political movement opposed to Iranian influence.
Which of the above is/are correctly identified?
- Hezbollah emerged as a Shia militia in Lebanon following the Israeli invasion of 1982.
- Hezbollah is regarded as a key component of the Iran-led Axis of Resistance.
- The 2006 Israel–Hezbollah war was brought to an end by UN Security Council Resolution 1701.
- Hezbollah was founded as a Sunni political movement opposed to Iranian influence.
- A. 1, 2 and 3
- B. 1 and 4
- C. 2, 3 and 4
- D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Q4. Which one of the following UN peacekeeping missions is deployed in southern Lebanon to monitor the cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah?
- A. UNDOF
- B. UNIFIL
- C. UNTSO
- D. UNMOGIP
Q5. With reference to the Strait of Hormuz, consider the following statements:
1. It is the only sea channel linking the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.
2. Iran lies to the north of the strait.
3. Roughly one-fourth of the world's maritime oil trade passes through it.
4. It is the world's busiest oil chokepoint, ahead of the Strait of Malacca.
Which of the above is/are correctly identified?
- It is the only sea channel linking the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.
- Iran lies to the north of the strait.
- Roughly one-fourth of the world's maritime oil trade passes through it.
- It is the world's busiest oil chokepoint, ahead of the Strait of Malacca.
- A. 1, 2 and 3
- B. 1, 2, 3 and 4
- C. 2, 3 and 4
- D. 1 and 4
Q6. The narrow shipping lanes of the Strait of Hormuz pass through the territorial waters of which one of the following pairs of countries?
- A. Iran and Oman
- B. Iran and the United Arab Emirates
- C. Iran and Saudi Arabia
- D. Iran and Qatar
Q7. According to a UN migration report cited in 2024, the United Arab Emirates is the single largest destination for Indian migrants, hosting approximately how many of them?
- A. About 1.5 million
- B. About 2.5 million
- C. About 3.5 million
- D. About 5.5 million
Q8. With reference to India's overseas evacuation operations, consider the following statements:
1. Operation Ganga was launched to evacuate Indians from Ukraine, whereas Operation Kaveri evacuated Indians from Sudan.
2. Both operations were named after Indian rivers.
3. Operation Kaveri was launched in 2022, before Operation Ganga.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- Operation Ganga was launched to evacuate Indians from Ukraine, whereas Operation Kaveri evacuated Indians from Sudan.
- Both operations were named after Indian rivers.
- Operation Kaveri was launched in 2022, before Operation Ganga.
- A. 1 only
- B. 1 and 2 only
- C. 2 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3
Q9. With reference to the geography of Lebanon, consider the following statements:
1. Lebanon shares land borders with Syria to its north and east.
2. Lebanon shares a land border with Israel to its south.
3. Lebanon has a coastline along the Mediterranean Sea to its west.
4. Lebanon shares a land border with Jordan to its east.
Which of the above is/are NOT correct?
- Lebanon shares land borders with Syria to its north and east.
- Lebanon shares a land border with Israel to its south.
- Lebanon has a coastline along the Mediterranean Sea to its west.
- Lebanon shares a land border with Jordan to its east.
- A. 1 only
- B. 2 and 3
- C. 3 and 4
- D. 4 only
Q10. Consider the following statements about cities of Lebanon:
1. Beirut is the capital and chief port of Lebanon, situated on the Mediterranean coast.
2. Tyre is a city on the Mediterranean coast of southern Lebanon, north of the Israeli border.
3. Tyre has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
4. Beirut is located inland in the Bekaa Valley.
Which of the above is/are correctly identified?
- Beirut is the capital and chief port of Lebanon, situated on the Mediterranean coast.
- Tyre is a city on the Mediterranean coast of southern Lebanon, north of the Israeli border.
- Tyre has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Beirut is located inland in the Bekaa Valley.
- A. 1, 2 and 3
- B. 1, 2, 3 and 4
- C. 2 and 4
- D. 1 and 4
Q11. With reference to India's West Asia connectivity and partnership frameworks, consider the following statements:
1. The I2U2 grouping comprises India, Israel, the United Arab Emirates and the United States.
2. The International North–South Transport Corridor (INSTC) was initiated by India, Iran and Russia.
3. The INSTC links the Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf to northern Europe via Iran and Russia.
4. I2U2 restricts its cooperation exclusively to defence and military-industrial production.
Which of the above is/are correctly identified?
- The I2U2 grouping comprises India, Israel, the United Arab Emirates and the United States.
- The International North–South Transport Corridor (INSTC) was initiated by India, Iran and Russia.
- The INSTC links the Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf to northern Europe via Iran and Russia.
- I2U2 restricts its cooperation exclusively to defence and military-industrial production.
- A. 1, 2 and 3
- B. 1 and 4
- C. 2, 3 and 4
- D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Q12. With reference to Iran's June 2026 suspension of talks with the United States, consider the following statements:
1. Iran said it would suspend 'talks and the exchange of documents through mediators' with the United States.
2. Iran cited Israel's expanded military offensive in Lebanon as a violation of the ceasefire.
3. Iran again closed the Strait of Hormuz to shipping during this period.
4. Iran justified the suspension by citing Israeli strikes on Yemen's Houthis.
Which of the above is/are correctly identified?
- Iran said it would suspend 'talks and the exchange of documents through mediators' with the United States.
- Iran cited Israel's expanded military offensive in Lebanon as a violation of the ceasefire.
- Iran again closed the Strait of Hormuz to shipping during this period.
- Iran justified the suspension by citing Israeli strikes on Yemen's Houthis.
- A. 1, 2 and 3
- B. 1 and 2 only
- C. 2, 3 and 4
- D. 1, 2, 3 and 4