CURRENT AFFAIRS 14 June 2025

CURRENT AFFAIRS

14 June, 2025

1.      ISRAEL-IRAN CONFLICT ESCALATES: OPERATION RISING LION TARGETS NUCLEAR SITES, IRAN RESPONDS –

•        Israel has launched ‘Operation Rising Lion’ to prevent Iran from building nuclear weapons targeting its  nuclear facilities, missile bases.

•        Key Casualties: Hossein Salami (Iran’s IRGC chief) and two top nuclear scientists.

Iran responds with ‘Operation True Promise 3’ after the Israeli attack.

•        Iran–Israel Relations: Background & Timeline

Phase I: Strategic Cooperation (1948–1979)

•        1948: Iran did not recognize Israel officially, but did not join Arab-Israeli wars.

•        1950s: Iran quietly aligned with Israel under Ben-Gurion’s “Periphery Doctrine” — alliance with non-Arab states (Iran, Turkey, Ethiopia) to counter Arab hostility.

•        1958: Formation of “Trident” intelligence pact (Iran–Israel–Turkey); joint operations against Baathist Iraq.

•        Post-1967 War: Despite rising criticism in the Muslim world, the Shah of Iran maintained relations with Israel.

•        1970s: Secret energy and military cooperation peaked:

Phase II: Ideological Confrontation (Post-1979)

•        1979 Islamic Revolution: The Shah was overthrown; the Islamic Republic of Iran was established under Ayatollah Khomeini.

•        Iran severed all ties with Israel and handed its embassy in Tehran to the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO).

•        Israel was labeled the “Little Satan”, USA the “Great Satan”.

•        1980s: Paradoxical Relations: Despite hostility, Israel supplied weapons to Iran during the Iran–Iraq War:

•        Iran-Contra Affair (1985–86): Covert US-Israel-Iran arms-for-hostages deal.

•        Both countries opposed Saddam Hussein and viewed Iraq as a bigger threat.

Phase III: Shadow War & Nuclear Tensions (1990–2020)

•        Iran emerged as a key backer of Hezbollah (Lebanon) and Hamas (Gaza) — both anti-Israel militant groups.

•        Iran was suspected of developing nuclear weapons. Israel viewed this as an existential threat.

•        Cyber warfare era: Israel and the US launched Stuxnet virus on Iran’s Natanz facility (2010).

•        Covert operations: Multiple Iranian nuclear scientists were assassinated (e.g., Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, 2020).

•        Phase IV: Escalation & Open Conflict (2020–2025)

•        2021–2023: Proxy escalation: Iran’s proxies — Houthis, Hezbollah — stepped up attacks post-Gaza conflict.

•        Israel responded with targeted assassinations in Lebanon and Syria.

•        April 2024: Iran launches 300 drones and missiles on Israel after its consulate was bombed in Damascus.

•        Israel retaliated with strikes on Iranian anti-aircraft systems and IRGC facilities.

June 2025 – Operation Rising Lion

•        Israel launched open military strikes on Iran, targeting:

•        Natanz nuclear site

•        IRGC command chain

•        Nuclear scientists

•        Iran responded with missile and drone retaliation, no major Israeli casualties reported.

•        IAEA censured Iran for secret enrichment; Iran threatened NPT withdrawal.

2.      WHY REGULATE AC TEMPERATURE? GOV PLANS 20°C–28°C LIMIT –

•        The Union Ministry of Power has proposed a move to restrict the temperature range of new air conditioners (ACs) between 20°C and 28°C.

Why Regulate AC Temperature ?

•        Energy Efficiency and Conservation: Every 1°C increase in AC temperature setting reduces energy use by ~6%.

•        If India adopts a 24°C default setting, it could save 20 billion units of electricity annually (BEE data).

•        With AC demand projected to create a 200 GW load by 2030, controlling temperature is crucial for grid stability and energy security.

•        Public Health and Thermal Safety: Settings below 18°C can increase blood pressure, trigger asthma, and worsen respiratory infections.

•        Vulnerable groups — infants, the elderly, and those with chronic diseases — face higher risks in excessively cold environments.

•        Studies link low indoor temperatures with mental health issues, including anxiety and depression.

•        Climate and Environmental Responsibility: The rise in AC usage is fueling energy demand and emissions.

•        Promoting a standardized temperature range supports India’s climate goals under the Paris Agreement.

•        Efficient cooling reduces the carbon footprint, helping India balance development with environmental sustainability.

3.      INDIAN ARMY SUCCESSFULLY TESTS RUDRASTRA VTOL DRONE FOR PRECISION STRIKES –

•        The Rudrastra VTOL drone has recently cleared successful field trials at the Pokhran firing range, showcasing India’s capability to deploy indigenous unmanned aerial systems for strategic battlefield operations.

•        As tensions along the border and threats from cross-border infiltration persist, the deployment of such drones is part of India’s effort to strengthen its stand-off strike capabilities using advanced indigenous defence technology.

Trial Highlights

•        Conducted at the Pokhran firing range.

•        Demonstrated precision targeting capabilities with live feed relay and automated return.

•        Target range during Army-led VTOL drone trials: up to 50 km.

•        Rudrastra UAV by SDAL successfully tested with extended range and payload capabilities.

•        Rudrastra VTOL Drone – Capabilities

•        Range: Total range of 170 km, including loitering time.

•        Endurance: Up to 1.5 hours of flight time.

•        Warhead: Equipped with airburst munitions, effective for anti-personnel roles.

•        Strike Mechanism: High-altitude deployment to maximize destruction over a wide radius.

•        Features: Can operate autonomously, relay real-time video, and return to base.

4.      INDIA HALTS RARE EARTH EXPORTS TO JAPAN TO BOOST DOMESTIC CAPACITY –

•        The Indian government has asked IREL to halt rare earth shipments under a bilateral agreement with Japan’s Toyotsu Rare Earths India, citing rising domestic demand and the need to develop indigenous processing capacity.

•        This comes amid global disruptions triggered by China’s export restrictions on rare earths, which are key inputs for electric vehicles, wind turbines, and electronics. India seeks to establish a self-reliant rare earth supply chain and reduce dependence on imported magnets, especially from China.

Background & Agreement Details

•        Agreement Year: 2012

•        Parties Involved: IREL (India) & Toyotsu Rare Earths India (subsidiary of Toyota Tsusho, Japan)

•        Nature: IREL mined rare earths, and Toyotsu processed them for export to Japan.

•        Materials Involved: Mostly Neodymium, used in magnets for EV motors.

5.      INDIA–US AIR FORCE SPECIAL FORCES CONCLUDE FIRST JOINT EXERCISE ‘TIGER CLAW’ –

•        The first-ever joint special forces exercise between the Indian Air Force and the US Air Force, named Tiger Claw, successfully concluded on June 10, 2025. It marked a new chapter in India–US defence collaboration, specifically focusing on Air Force Special Forces interoperability.

Aim of Exercise Tiger Claw

•        Strengthen interoperability between Indian and US Air Force Special Forces.

•        Promote exchange of best practices in special operations.

•        Enhance combat readiness and joint operational capability in varied terrains.

•        About Exercise Tiger Claw

•        Participating Forces

•        Indian Air Force Special Forces (Garud Commandos)

•        US Air Force Special Forces

MCQ QUIZ

Q1.  Banas River, that was recently seen in news, is located in which state ?

          a) Gujarat

          b) Rajasthan

          c) Madhya Pradesh

          d) Haryana

Q2.  Which organization has developed the Rudrastra, a Hybrid Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle ?

          a) Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)

          b) Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited (SDAL)

          c) Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL)

          d) Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)

Q3.  Fuego Volcano, that was recently seen in news, is located in which country ?

          a) Guatemala

          b) Indonesia

          c) Japan

          d) Philippines

Q4.  Which one of the following best describes the role of the iDEX initiative ?

          a) A procurement portal for defence PSUs

          b) A startup-based innovation platform for defence R&D

          c) A testing mechanism for imported arms

          d) A scheme for skill development in armed forces

Explanation-

•        iDEX (Innovation for Defence Excellence) was launched in 2018 to harness innovation from MSMEs, startups, and academia in defence technology. It provides financial support (up to ₹1.5 crore per project) and has enabled procurement of ₹2,400 crore worth of solutions by 2025.

Q5.  Which of the statements given below is/are correct ?

          1.  The Global Gender Gap Index was first published in 2006.

          2. The Index covers 200 countries.

          3.  A score of 1 indicates complete gender inequality.

          a) Only 1

          b) 1 and 2 only

          c) 2 and 3 only

          d) 1, 2, and 3

Explanation-

•        Only statement 1 is correct. The Global Gender Gap Index was indeed launched in 2006. Statement 2 is incorrect—the 2025 report covers 148 countries, not 200. Statement 3 is false because a score of 1 indicates full gender equality, not inequality.

Answer Key