Overview On 28 February 2026 the United States and Israel carried out coordinated air strikes on Iranian territory, killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several senior officials. The attack ignited a full‑scale war across West Asia, drawing in regional allies, disrupting global oil flows, and spilling over into US‑India trade policy. At the same time, President Donald Trump faced fresh legal challenges to his unilateral tariff regime, while Nepal’s general‑election count shows the newcomer RSP on the brink of a landslide. The developments have direct relevance for UPSC aspirants across GS 2 (Polity) and GS 3 (Economy). Key Developments US‑Israel strike kills Iran’s top leadership; Iran retaliates with drones and missiles against US bases in Strait of Hormuz and regional allies. Six American personnel die in Kuwait; US embassies in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia close. Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps ( IRGC ) blocks the strait and targets oil tankers, threatening a fifth of world oil shipments. US Navy sinks Iranian frigate IRIS Dena near Sri Lanka, extending the conflict to the Indian Ocean. Washington temporarily waives sanctions, allowing Indian refiners to import stranded Russian crude to stabilise global oil prices. Trump re‑imposes a 10 % blanket tariff using IEEPA ‑derived powers, prompting lawsuits from two dozen states. Nepal’s vote count shows RSP leading in 110 of 161 constituencies, signalling a shift away from the Nepali Congress and CPN‑UML. Important Facts • US maintains eight persistent bases and 11 other sites in West Asia (CRS 2024). • Iran’s missile range caps at 2,000 km , putting most US installations within reach. • The JCPOA was abandoned in 2018; Tehran has since enriched uranium to 60 %. UPSC Relevance • Geopolitics & International Relations (GS 2) : The US‑Israel strike illustrates power projection, regime‑change rhetoric, and the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz . Understanding proxy dynamics (IRGC, Hezbollah) is essential for questions on South‑West Asian security. • Energy Security (GS 3) : Disruption of oil flows and the US waiver for Russian crude highlight how geopolitical shocks affect global oil markets, a recurring UPSC theme. • Trade Policy & Legal Framework (GS 2) : The use of IEEPA and Section 122 of the 1974 Trade Act underscores the executive’s tariff powers and the role of the judiciary, useful for questions on trade law and federal‑state relations. • South Asian Politics (GS 2) : Nepal’s electoral shift towards the RSP reflects youth‑driven political realignment, a case study for party systems and democratic transitions. Way Forward 1. **Diplomatic de‑escalation** – US and Israel need to engage multilateral mechanisms (UN, GCC) to prevent a broader regional war and secure the Strait of Hormuz for global energy stability. 2. **Legal clarity on tariffs** – Congress should assert its role under the Constitution to provide a clear statutory basis for trade measures, reducing litigation risk. 3. **Political consolidation in Nepal** – New parties must translate electoral momentum into governance reforms, addressing the chronic instability of 14 governments in 18 years. 4. **Strategic autonomy for India** – While benefitting from the temporary Russian‑crude waiver, India should diversify energy sources and strengthen domestic refining capacity to mitigate future supply shocks.