The latest flare up between Iran and Israel has got the whole world concerned. Israel carried out a round of preemptive airstrikes against the nuclear and military sites in Iran, and Iran responded by launching missiles into Israel. The attacks have led to high losses on both sides and have caused concerns of the possibility of a bigger war. The current crisis illustrates the geopolitics of the nuclear aspirations of Iran and the security affairs of the region.

Israel's Preemptive Strikes on Iran (Friday, June 14, 2025):

• Specific Locations: Israel conducted airstrikes and drone attacks against major military and nuclear installments of Iran.

  • Significant ones were the Natanz and Fordo nuclear enrichment plants and a nuclear research facility in Isfahan.

  • Iranian Generals Killed Top Iranian Generals Among those killed were three top Iranian military officials who were:

    • Gen. Mohammad Bagheri (armed forces)

    • Gen. Hossein Salami (Revolutionary Guard)

    • Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh (ballistic missile program).

Israel Justification: Israel claimed that the attacks were justified to prevent Iranian movement towards developing nuclear weapons, which Israel considers an existential threat to the country.

Iran’s Retaliation:

• Missile Attacks: Iran struck in waves of ballistic rockets against Israel, blowing up in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.

  • Casualties: Two individuals were murdered in Rishon Lezion, and a number of others were hurt in Tel Aviv.

  • Destruction: The homes and buildings in Israel were damaged by the Iranian missiles.

Iranian Response: Iran promised to retaliate, terming the Israeli action as a case of state terrorism, and launched drones and missiles into Israel.

International Reactions:

• Role of UN: At the request of Iran, the UN had an emergency meeting over this issue where it condemned the actions of Israel. The Foreign Minister of Iran termed the Israeli attacks as a crime and said that Iran has the right to defend itself.

• U.S. Position: The United States, although not party to the Israeli attack, had cautioned Israel against acting to precipitate a conflict with Iran. U.S. air defense shields in the area helped down some of the Iranian projectiles.

Israeli Military Operations:

• Airstrikes: According to Israel military, airstrikes involved approximately 200 planes, and the aim of the airstrikes was to incapacitate the nuclear program and military facilities of Iran.

  • Israel also deployed explosive drones against Iranian air defenses and missile launchers.

• Natanz Facility: The above ground part of the Natanz facility was severely damaged which isolated power to important infrastructure. But the underground centrifuges were preserved.

• Strike Duration: Israeli officials stated the attacks might continue for up to two weeks, depending on the situation.

Concerns about Escalation:

• Danger of Full-Scale War: There has been increased anxiety that the developing violence might attract full-scale war between Israel and Iran further destabilizing the region.

• Hezbollah Reaction: Hezbollah, the ally of Iran condemned the actions of Israel but did not directly take part in the retaliation of Iran.

Global Diplomacy & U.S. Actions:

• U.S. Diplomatic Movements: The U.S. began repositioning military resources in the region and evacuated some diplomats from Iraq to prepare for potential further escalation.

• U.S. Pressure on Iran: Former U.S. President Donald Trump urged Iran to reach a nuclear deal with the U.S. to avoid further conflict.

Israel’s Ongoing War with Gaza:

• Distraction to Gaza: The raids on Iran were also a distraction to the continued war that Israel was facing in Gaza which has resulted in massive casualties.

• Public Opinion: Although the general opinion in Israel favors the attacks on Iran, the opinion may change on the continued retaliation and loss of life.

Conclusion

The Israel-Iran conflict of June 2025 has intensified regional instability, with both countries suffering casualties and infrastructure damage. The death of key Iranian military figures has escalated tensions further. International powers, including the UN and the U.S., have called for restraint. As missile exchanges continue, concerns of a full-scale war loom large. Diplomatic efforts in the coming weeks will be critical in de-escalating the situation.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has presented a chargesheet against eight persons, including a law officer of the French Embassy in New Delhi, in a big Schengen visa fraud racket. The accused is said to have used their office to grant visas on bribes and would target the applicants especially those of Punjab origin. The case is also the first uses of INTERPOL Silver Notice in India in order to locate assets which were purchased with illegal proceeds.

Launch and Purpose:

• Introduced in 2025 to follow and repatriate criminal assets.

• It was designed to fight transnational organized crime and to increase international police cooperation.

• The notice system assists in monitoring economical fugitives and criminal property beyond nationwide borders.

Pilot Phase:

• The Silver Notice is still at a pilot stage with 51 countries, pilot phase will last till November 2025.

• The period allows each country to request a total of nine Silver Notices.

India's Role:

• Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is the nodal agency in India in relation to INTERPOL.

• CBI facilitates requests by Indian law enforcement agencies to INTERPOL to seek international Inc strangers.

• The CBI has also come up with BHARATPOL that gives central and state agencies in India real-time access to INTERPOL data. Such a system aids in addressing crimes such as cybercrime and trafficking.

INTERPOL’s Colour-coded Notices:

• Notices are messages or requests of cooperation among 196 INTERPOL member countries.

• Nine various coloured notices of different purposes, including:

  • Red Notices of individuals sought in connection with grave criminal offenses.

  • Blue Notices to collect information regarding the identity or activities of an individual.

  • Green Notices of criminal activity warning.

Notices may also be given on request of:

• Serious crimes such as genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity are dealt with by the International Criminal Tribunals or the International Criminal Court.

• Sanctions of the UN Security Council to take effect.

Conclusion

The INTERPOL Silver Notice deployed by India is a game changer in the history of international policing cooperation. Not only does it focus on economic fugitives, but it also expands cross-border asset tracing. There are diplomatic and procedural issues involved with an official of the French Embassy involved. Since the Silver Notice pilot is ongoing until November 2025, there can be more such high-profile cases that fall under its radar. The step beefs up the Indian position on combating financial crimes and safeguarding visa integrity.

India did not vote on a UN General Assembly (UNGA) resolution, demanding a ceasefire in Gaza, becoming the fourth such abstention in three years. This is irrespective of the fact that India had voted in support of a similar resolution half a year ago, in December 2024. This vote, which took place on June 12, 2025, was connected with the current conflict between Israel and Hamas, which has already taken more than 55 000 lives in Gaza.

• Date and Context: India did not vote on a UN General Assembly (UNGA) resolution demanding a ceasefire in Gaza on June 12, 2025, in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.

  • Shift in India’s Policy:

• It is the fourth time that India has abstained on such resolutions in the past three years.

• India had voted in support of such a resolution earlier in December 2024 making it a change of position.

• India’s Position:

  • India Permanent Representative to the UN, Paravathaneni Harish, reasoned that the abstention vote follows previous votes.

  • India supports the idea of dialogue and diplomacy as the sole means of resolving the conflict and directs to the necessity of the peace talks between Israel and Palestine.

• Global Voting Outcome:

  •  Proposed by Spain, the resolution was adopted by 149 to 19 (abstentions) and 10 (votes against).

  • India was among 19 countries that abstained, such as Albania, Ecuador and Malawi.

  • The United States voted against the resolution together with Israel.

• Resolution Details:

  • The resolution demands civilian protection and adherence to the international law.

  • It also requires the entrance of humanitarian aid (food, water, medical supplies, etc.) into Gaza.

• Criticism and Reactions:

  • US criticism: The United States criticized the resolution because it did not mention the actions of Hamas yet it demanded the release of hostages.

  • Russia argued that an immediate ceasefire was necessary, due to the unacceptable civilian casualties and the humanitarian crisis.

The French-Saudi Conference on Palestine (June 17-20, 2025)

• Conference Theme: The French-Saudi conference will have a themes Israel and Palestine Two-State solution, and thematic sessions on security, economic sustainability, and humanitarian requirements.

• India’s Participation:

  • Whether India will participate in the conference or not is yet to be decided.

  • The diplomatic sources are yet to confirm the involvement of India and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is yet to issue a statement.

• International Impact: The conference is expected to address specific measures towards establishment of a Palestinian state, as well as, peace efforts.

Key Facts about the Conflict:

• Humanitarian Crisis:

  • More than 55,000 already were killed in Gaza as a result of Israeli airstrikes and blockade.

  • Half a million Gazans are heavily hungry and malnourished.

• India’s Recognition of Palestine:

  • India awarded Palestine state recognition back in 1988 and has since continued to back the rights of the Palestinians at the UN.

  • India is one of 147 members out of 193 UNGA members, which recognize the Palestinian state.

Conclusion 

India’s abstention from the UNGA Gaza ceasefire vote in June 2025 signals a notable change in its diplomatic strategy. Despite supporting a similar resolution in December 2024, India chose neutrality this time. The move highlights India's emphasis on dialogue over direct intervention. As the humanitarian crisis worsens in Gaza, global powers prepare for the French-Saudi peace conference. India's future engagement in the Israel-Palestine peace process remains under observation.