Why is it in the news?
1. Israel launched a blistering attack on Iran’s nuclear and military structure on 13th June 2025, thereby, killing top Generals and Scientists. The attack was meant to stop Iran from making atomic weapons. About 200 aircrafts were involved in the initial attack on about 100 targets. Israel attacked Iran’s main nuclear enrichment facility at Natanz. Israel also claimed that it destroyed dozens of radar installations and surface to air missile launchers in western Iran. The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed that operation Rising Lion would continue for as many days as it takes to remove Iran’s nuclear weapons programme because it was described as an existential threat to the Jews state.
2. Iran immediately retaliated by sending a swarm of drones to Israel. It is reported that Iranian Missiles have heavily damaged Israeli port city of Haifa and its capital Tel Aviv.
3. India is deeply concerned about the situation in West Asia after Israel claimed that it carried out attacks on multiple targets in Iran. India urged both sides to avoid any escalation steps. India enjoys close and friendly relations with both the countries and stands ready to stand all possible support. India urged both the countries to use dialogue and diplomacy towards de-escalation of situation and resolving underlying issues.The embassy of India in Iran had urged Indian citizens to remain vigilant and avoid all unnecessary movements. Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) condemned the military strikes carried out by Israel. However, India distanced itself and did not participate in the discussion.
4. Left parties on the other hand urged the Union Government to condemn Israel otherwise silence will be seen as complicity. The party said that attack could spark a broader regional conflict and create more instability in west Asia.
5. Iran finds itself politically isolated in the region. Many Arab states are as concerned as Israel about Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Moreover, the Atomic Energy Agency passed a resolution declaring Iran in violation of its legal obligations under the nuclear non-proliferation treaty and dangerously close to acquiring nuclear weapons. Several Arab and Muslim majority nations including Algeria, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkey did not oppose the resolution instead they quickly condemned Israeli strikes.
Causes of Conflict between Iran and Israel
1. Ideological and religious rivalry : Islamic revolution in Iran in 1979 turned it into a Shia theocracy. It strongly opposes Israel as an illegitimate zionist entity and so it wants to wipe out Israel. Israel, on the other hand, thinks the orthodox Islamist ideology of Iran as an existential threat to it and so there is deep rooted animosity between two countries. Apart from ideology, the divergent religious affiliations further add to their enmity. Both countries want a favourable balance of power in West Asia. Thus, Iran opposes Abraham accords of UAE, Behren, Saudi Arabia with Israel. So, since the founding of Islamic Republic in 1979, both countries are at lower heads. Over the decades Iran has popped up regional proxies to ensure a severe but cost effective military option vis-a-vis Israel. Iran created, co-opted and emboldened several non-state players committed to Israel's defeat. Through this proxy war, Iran has successfully expanded its influence beyond its territorial limits and its sphere of influence can be felt not only in the immediate vicinity of the Persian Gulf but also in the Mediterranean sea, the Red sea and the Northern Arabian Sea.
2. Nuclear threat of Iran : Israel views Iran’s nuclear programme as an existential threat. It apprehends that a nuclear armed Iran would target it. It claimed that Iran had enough enriched uranium for making multiple nuclear bombs. In addition, Iran non-complied with the nuclear non-proliferation agreements put forward by the International Atomic Energy Agency [IAEA]. This prompted Israel to launch preemptive strikes on 13th June under the code name of operation Rising Lion. Israel struck nuclear sites like Natanz, Khondab and Isfahan. The strike was meant to prevent Iran from crossing the nuclear threshold.
3. Weakening of the Axis of Resistance headed by Iran : Iran has been supporting anti-Israel groups like Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, Houthis in Yemen, popular mobilisation forces in Iraq and Assad Regime in Syria. In spite of the military offensive, Israel has not been able to defeat Hamas in the Gaza strip, Hezbollah in Lebanon. PMFin Iraq. The destruction of several infrastructure including Sanaa airport has not forced the Houthis to seek a truce with Israel. So, now Israel now seeks to minimise the long term potential of these militant groups by targeting the source of their political legitimacy and military support. According to Israel, Iran supported Axis of Resistance cannot be defeated without directly confronting Iran. The direct confrontation between Iran and Israel in April and October 2024 did not significantly alter the situation. Moreover, the increasing power of Iran further compelled Gulf countries led by Saudi Arabia to bury their hatchet against Israel and so these Sunni Arab countries moved closer to Israel. Looking to the above favourable condition, Israel this time decided to target Iran itself.
4. Domestic political pressure : Experts are of the view that the decision of the Prime Minister Netanyahu to strike at Iran was driven by domestic politics. Since, the Prime Minister is facing corruption charges. He wants to prolong the war with Iran. The main aim is to overthrow the orthodox Islamic regime of Ayatollah Khamenei. This would bring popularity of the PM among Israeli people.
5.Immediate provocation - the accelerated production of ballistic missiles by Iran was construed as a threat to Israel. The seizure of Israeli linked ships in 2024 by Iran and support for Houthi attacks on Israeli ships further heightened tensions. The failure of US-Iran nuclear talks, bombing of Iranian consulate in Damascus in April 2024 by Israel and retaliatory missile attacks at Israel in October 2024 for assassinations of Hamas and Hezbollah leaders further escalated tensions between both countries.
1. Rising oil prices : Since India imports 80% of its oil for its domestic needs and since 40% oil imports come from the Middle East, a prolonged war between Israel and Iran would lead to a spike in oil prices. It is expected that the oil prices had jumped to $75 per barrel. It should be noted that oil prices above $80 per barrel would increase the import bill by $10-15 billion, thereby widening the trade deficit. In addition, the higher fuel cost can drive inflation leading to rise in consumer prices and industrial costs.
2. Weakening of Rupees : A higher import bill would weaken the Indian Rupee, despite strong forex reserves. A depreciating rupee would raise import cost for non-oil goods, thereby impacting MSME sectors.
3. Trade disruption, a prolonged Iran-Israel war will have an impact upon India’s trade with Israel since India exports petroleum products heavily. Disruption in the supply chain would further hit India’s export of petroleum products to Israel. Moreover, the protected war would threaten India’s energy security.
4. Migrant workers and evacuation : About 1600 Indian students are studying in Iran. 183 pilgrims are stranded in Iraq. They require urgent evacuation. Moreover, prolonged Iran-Israel war will have an impact upon remittances sent to India. It should be noted that more than 8 million Indian workers are employed in Gulf Countries and around $125 billion remittances are sent by them to India. Any disruption will have an impact upon the economy of India and especially Kerala.
Impact on World Economy
1. Oil market volatility : The prolonged war would push the oil prices to $100-150 per barrel, leading to stagflation. It is feared that attack upon oil wells of Iran by Israel may cause severe affect upon the overall oil production. It should be noted that Iran exports $2.5 million barrels per day.
2. Inflation and Growth : Rising oil prices may lead to inflationary trend in the Global economy and may lead to slow global GDP growth.
3. Financial markets : On account of the Iran Israel war, global stock markets plumated sharply. Investors took their money from the banking institutions to purchase gold and dollars.
4. Disruption in Supply chain : Prolonged Israel-Iran war would further impact industries worldwide dependent upon petroleum products.
5. Fear of arms race in West Asia : The withdrawal of Iran from the non-proliferation treaty would spark arms race thereby, destabilising markets and diverting resources.
Ways Out
1. Diplomatic De-escalation : Since India has very good relations with Iran and Israel, it should take the lead in pushing for a ceasefire. Both the UN and BRICS countries can take initiatives for the normalisation of relationship between two countries.
2. Energy Diversification : India should accelerate renewable energy and boost domestic oil production in order to reduce its dependence on oil imports. Nations should have strategic petroleum reserves to stabilise prices.
3. Economic stabilisation : An effort should be made to provide subsidies on fuel to give relief to consumers. Central banks across countries must coordinate to mitigate inflation spikes. Reserve Bank of India, should manage rupee volatility through forex interventions. Similar steps should be taken by central banks of other countries.
4. Humanitarian and evacuation plans : India must prioritise evacuating stranded citizens through airlifts and sea routes by coordinating with Gulf Countries. The UN should provide a safe route for refugees living in adjoining countries of Israel and Iran.
5. Strengthening regional alliances : India should deepen its ties further with Saudi Arabia and UAE to secure alternative oil supplies. India and EU should also mediate to prevent US-China proxy escalation.
Conclusion
1. The Iran-Israel war threatens global stability and economic recovery. Rising oil prices, trade disruptions and stranded citizens pose immediate challenges. The prolonged conflict may pose global stagflation, market turmoil and nuclear arms race. India should play a proactive role to keep the balancing act between Israel and Iran. Israel is a trusted friend of India. It is the third largest military hardware supplier to India after Russia and France, India is dependent upon Iran for huge oil imports and Chabahar ports which would connect it with Afghanistan and Central Asian countries. A prolonged war would further escalate oil prices in India and worldwide leading to the inflationary trend in the economy and slowing down of the economy worldwide.