Why is it in the news?
The US and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iran targeting strategic facilities and leadership.
Escalation has raised fears of wider West Asian conflict with global energy and geopolitical implications.
Category: International Relations
Important Points:
● Joint offensive named Operation Epic Fury (US) and Operation Lion’s Roar (Israel)
● Iran retaliated through Operation True Promise 4 with missile attacks
● Reported killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
● US cited Iran’s ballistic missiles and kamikaze drones as major threat
● February 2026 strikes aimed at decapitation, unlike earlier deterrence-focused strikes
● JCPOA signed in 2015 between Iran and P5+1 for sanctions relief vs enrichment limits
● US withdrew from JCPOA in 2018 citing missile programme and proxy funding
● Strait of Hormuz handles ~20 million barrels/day (~20% global oil) and 20–30% LNG
● India imports 85–88% of crude; 2.5–2.7 million barrels/day pass via Hormuz
● Prolonged disruption may push oil above USD 100/barrel impacting CAD and inflation