Iran launched two ballistic missiles towards the US-British military airport on Diego Garcia, 3,800 km away in the Indian Ocean, though they did not hit the base. This occurred amidst escalating tensions where Iran also claimed its Natanz nuclear enrichment facility was attacked. The US is considering "winding down" its military operation against Iran, with President Trump suggesting countries using the Strait of Hormuz should police it. A British defence ministry source noted the attack preceded UK authorization for US strikes on Iranian missile sites. This marks a significant escalation in the West Asia conflict.
Iran launched two ballistic missiles targeting the US-British military base on Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean.
The missile attack coincided with Iran's claim that its Natanz nuclear enrichment facility had been hit.
US President Donald Trump indicated a potential "winding down" of US military operations against Iran, suggesting regional policing of the Strait of Hormuz.
Exam Points
Diego Garcia is located 3,800 km from the Iranian mainland in the Indian Ocean.
Iran's Natanz facility is a nuclear enrichment site.
The Wall Street Journal reported the missile attack.
Iran's targeting of Diego Garcia with ballistic missiles marks its first operational deployment of Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missiles (IRBMs), extending its military reach significantly beyond the immediate West Asia theatre. Diego Garcia, a joint US-UK military base, is approximately 4,000 km from Iran. While one missile reportedly failed mid-flight and the other was intercepted by a US Navy warship's SM-3 interceptor, this event signifies Iran's disclosure and deployment of such long-range capabilities. IRBMs, with a range of 3,000-5,500 km, bridge the gap between medium and long-range missiles, posing new strategic challenges.
Iran's missile launch towards Diego Garcia represents its first operational use of Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missiles (IRBMs).
The target, Diego Garcia, is a joint US-UK military base located 4,000 km from Iran, demonstrating Iran's extended military reach.
One missile was reportedly intercepted by a US Navy warship using an SM-3 interceptor.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, expressing India's growing concerns over attacks on "critical infrastructure" and the importance of "safeguarding freedom of navigation" amidst the ongoing West Asia war. This was Modi's second call to the Iranian President since the conflict began four weeks ago. Tehran, in response, emphasized that an "immediate cessation of aggressions" by the US and Israel was a "pre-requisite for ending the war." The conversation highlights India's diplomatic efforts to de-escalate regional tensions and protect its economic interests.
PM Narendra Modi held discussions with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian regarding the West Asia conflict.
Modi expressed India's concerns over attacks on critical energy infrastructure and the need to safeguard freedom of navigation.
Iran stated that an immediate cessation of aggressions by the US and Israel is a prerequisite for ending the war.
Exam Points
PM Narendra Modi spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
The West Asia war entered its fourth week.
This was Modi's second call to the Iranian President.
The Centre will scrutinise all Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) projects costing over Rs 100 crore to address concerns about inflated costs in the first phase. This rationalisation exercise, announced by the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti, aims to ensure efficient use of funds before release to states. The JJM, which aims to provide 55 litres of potable water per person daily to every rural household via tap connections, had its deadline extended from 2024 to 2028, with an additional outlay of Rs 1.51 lakh crore. States were informed of this decision on March 14, following Cabinet approval of the mission extension.
The Union government will scrutinise Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) projects exceeding ₹100 crore to address concerns of cost escalation.
The JJM aims to provide 55 litres of potable water per person daily to every rural household through tap connections.
The mission's original completion deadline of 2024 has been extended to 2028.
Exam Points
Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) projects costing over Rs 100 crore will be scrutinised.
The mission aims to provide at least 55 litres of potable water per day.
A study conducted in four Indian cities—Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Kolkata—has mapped antibiotic resistance in water samples, revealing that bacteria like Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa employ similar survival strategies across these diverse locations. The research, a collaboration between CSIR-CCMB and CSIR-NEERI, found a high prevalence of multi-drug resistant bacteria, highlighting a significant public health concern. The findings underscore the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which is a global health priority as recognized by the WHO.
A study mapped antibiotic resistance in water samples across Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Kolkata.
The research found that bacteria like Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa use similar survival strategies in these cities.
A high prevalence of multi-drug resistant bacteria was identified, posing a significant public health challenge.
Exam Points
The study was conducted in Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Kolkata.
Bacteria identified include Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
The study was a collaboration between CSIR-CCMB and CSIR-NEERI.
The US Supreme Court's scrapping of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) tariffs has diminished the economic value of existing US trade deals, prompting the US to build a new tariff architecture based on Section 301 investigations. Countries like Malaysia and the EU have expressed doubts or put deals on hold, as the reciprocal tariff policy collapsed. The US has launched Section 301 investigations citing structural excess capacity and "forced" labour, which could lead to differential tariffs by May. India is adopting a "wait and watch" approach, assessing the implications for its own trade deal with the US and its comparative advantage.
The US Supreme Court's ruling on IEEPA tariffs has reduced the economic value of previous US trade agreements.
The US is now developing a new tariff architecture, primarily utilizing Section 301 investigations.
Section 301 investigations cite issues like structural excess capacity and forced labor, potentially leading to new differential tariffs.
Exam Points
IEEPA stands for International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
The US imposed 10% global tariffs under Section 122.
Section 301 investigations are being used to create new tariff structures.
The Central government has approved an additional 20% allocation of commercial Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) to states and Union Territories, specifically for sectors like restaurants, hotels, and food processing. This raises the total commercial LPG allocation to 50% of the estimated requirement. The decision comes amidst concerns over LPG supply disruptions due to the West Asia war and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime chokepoint. Consumers are now mandated to register with public sector fuel retailers and apply for piped natural gas (PNG) connections to be eligible for commercial LPG.
The government increased commercial LPG allocation to states and UTs by an additional 20%, bringing the total to 50% of the estimated requirement.
This measure aims to support sectors like restaurants, hotels, and food processing, which were severely affected by supply cuts.
The decision is a response to LPG supply disruptions caused by the West Asia war and the impact on the Strait of Hormuz.
Exam Points
Commercial LPG allocation increased to 50%.
India imports about 60% of its LPG demand, with 90% from West Asia.
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical maritime chokepoint.
Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Iranian leaders and affirmed Moscow's loyalty and reliability as a partner to Tehran, despite international disputes over the extent of this support. Putin condemned US and Israeli attacks on Iran, stating they have plunged the Middle East into chaos and triggered a global energy crisis. Simultaneously, Israel conducted strikes across Lebanon, targeting Iran-backed Hezbollah infrastructure in Beirut amidst deadly ground clashes near the southern border. This escalation occurred as people in Lebanon observed Eid al-Fitr, raising concerns about a potential full-scale Israeli invasion of southern Lebanon.
Russian President Vladimir Putin reiterated Moscow's support for Iran, calling it a loyal and reliable partner.
Putin criticized US and Israeli attacks on Iran, attributing the Middle East's instability and global energy crisis to these actions.
Israel carried out airstrikes targeting Hezbollah infrastructure in Beirut and other areas of southern Lebanon.
Exam Points
Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) have significantly restructured Hezbollah's military command after the group suffered heavy losses in 2024, including the death of its leader Hassan Nasrallah. The IRGC sent approximately 100 officers to retrain fighters and oversee rearmament, transforming Hezbollah's rigid hierarchy into small, decentralized units to boost operational secrecy and resilience. This overhaul enabled Hezbollah to quickly recover and engage in the regional war alongside Iran, demonstrating a shift towards a "mosaic defence" model for flexible warfighting. The move highlights Iran's deep involvement in strengthening its proxy forces.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) undertook a major overhaul of Hezbollah's military command structure.
The restructuring was a direct response to heavy losses suffered by Hezbollah in 2024, including the death of its leader.
IRGC officers retrained fighters and reorganized Hezbollah into decentralized units to enhance operational secrecy and resilience.
Exam Points
Hezbollah was founded by the IRGC in 1982.
Hezbollah's leader Hassan Nasrallah was killed in 2024.
Approximately 100 IRGC officers were sent to retrain Hezbollah fighters.
Iraq has declared force majeure on all oilfields developed by foreign companies, effectively halting most of the country's crude exports and slashing output. This drastic measure is a direct consequence of severe disruptions to navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical choke-point for global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies, due to unprecedented military activity in the region. The oil ministry stated that international partners could not nominate tankers, leading to storage capacity limits. This situation has contributed to international oil prices reaching their highest levels in nearly four years, underscoring the severe economic impact of the West Asia war.
Iraq declared force majeure on all foreign-developed oilfields, leading to a halt in crude exports and production.
The decision was prompted by severe disruptions to navigation through the Strait of Hormuz due to military activity.
The inability of international partners to nominate tankers resulted in storage capacity reaching its limits.
Exam Points
The Strait of Hormuz accounts for about 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies.
The Iraqi oil ministry issued a letter dated March 17.
Iran has resumed gas supplies to Iraq at a rate of five million cubic metres per day, according to the Iraqi electricity ministry. The supplies were previously halted after Israel attacked Iran's main gas field, South Pars, on Wednesday. While the current volume is a fraction of the contracted 50 million cubic metres, Iraqi officials anticipate a gradual increase. The resumption has brought stability to Iraq's national grid, which recorded 14,000 megawatts of production, highlighting the critical interdependence of energy infrastructure in the volatile West Asia region.
Iran has resumed gas supplies to Iraq at a rate of five million cubic metres per day.
The supplies were previously halted due to an Israeli attack on Iran's South Pars gas field.
The current supply volume is significantly lower than the contracted 50 million cubic metres, but is expected to increase gradually.
Exam Points
Iran's main gas field is South Pars.
Current gas supply to Iraq is five million cubic metres per day.
The contracted volume is 50 million cubic metres.
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