अवलोकन The U.S. and Israel have launched a series of aerial strikes on Iran under the pretext of neutralising its nuclear programme . The operation, announced by President Donald Trump as “major combat operations”, has escalated into a broader regional conflict that now threatens India’s strategic interests in the Gulf and South Asia. मुख्य विकास U.S. President Donald Trump declared the start of “major combat operations” in Iran and hinted at a post‑war regime change. Israel and the U.S. are employing heavy munitions, including 2,000‑lb penetrator bombs , against Iranian targets and Lebanese sites. Iran has responded with a wider regional offensive, targeting U.S. bases and deepening the Shia‑Sunni faultline across the Gulf. India faces indirect risks: over nine million Indian expatriates work in the Gulf, contributing about 1.2% of India’s GDP through remittances, and the conflict threatens oil supplies. महत्वपूर्ण तथ्य The article draws parallels with past interventions: The ISAF operation in Afghanistan was justified under UN Security Council Resolutions 1368 and 1373 , yet later morphed into a nation‑building effort with limited success. In Iraq, the 2003 invasion aimed at removing Saddam Hussein and alleged weapons of mass destruction, but the aftermath left a fragile stability that could be destabilised by regional upheavals. The current strike lacks a clear, singular objective—whether it is regime change, nuclear containment, or weakening Iran’s missile capability. UPSC प्रासंगिकता For aspirants, this episode touches upon multiple GS papers: GS‑2 (Polity & International Relations) : Understanding the dynamics of U.S.‑Israel strategic partnership, Iran’s theocratic governance.