Securest countries to be in if WW3 started as fears grow following US strikes on Iran
If any of the current international conflicts spiral into a third world war, 11 nations might be safe - and some are a lot more attractive than others.
After the US-Israel strikes on Iran have led to retaliatory attacks across the Middle East, it’s understandable that people would expect this to turn into an all-out war.
The ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, as well as fears China could invade Taiwan, could all be the starting gun for World War 3.
If that happens, there are a lot of easy targets other countries can hit to damage the most populations and economies.
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However, there are also a lot of places you can go to avoid a nuclear catastrophe – maybe completely.
In the world, there are 11 countries and islands that have the rare potential to shield you from the fallout, both nuclear and political.
Here’s what they are, according to Metro.
Antarctica
Now, this might be one of the obvious places, considering it’s a giant plane of ice in the middle of nowhere, without any countries near it.
However, it has probably one of the worst terrains, so while it can save you from nukes, it might just turn you into an ice sculpture during this time.
Iceland
Next up is another icy land, which is aptly named Iceland.
Well, it’s not as icy as its name suggests, but it is pretty cold and also has a harsh climate. But aside from its environment, Iceland has never taken part in a modern-day war or invasion, and we’re not counting the Viking raids.
With the country nice and out of the way, it’s the perfect place to sit, fish, and wait for the war to end.
New Zealand and Australia
If Iceland holds to top spot on the Global Peace Index, then New Zealand ranks second, and Aussies aren’t too far behind.
The nations have lovely mountainous ranges, which are perfect to hide between.
Investigative journalist and author Annie Jacobsen has also explained that Australia and New Zealand could be two of the best places to stay in as they are one of the only places on the Southern Hemisphere capable of 'sustaining agriculture'.
In an interview with Steven Bartlett for The Diary of a CEO podcast, Jacobsen said: "Places like Iowa and Ukraine would be just snow for 10 years. So agriculture would fail and when agriculture fails, people just die.
"On top of that, you have the radiation poisoning because the ozone layer will be so damaged and destroyed that you can't be outside in the sunlight.
"People will be forced to live underground. So you have to imagine people living underground, fighting for food everywhere except for in New Zealand and Australia."
Tuvalu
A tiny island with 11,000 people inhabiting it, Tuvalu could be the safe haven you need in a war.
Located in the Pacific Ocean, it would be a place planes fly across, not towards.
Argentina
Sometimes, surviving war isn’t about the likelihood of being drawn into battle – it's about the natural resources to tie you over in a bout of no deliveries.
This is where Argentina shines.
The nation has so many wheat crops, that it could sustain itself and its people until the nuclear winter ends.
Bhutan
Bhutan is also a peacekeeping nation, having declared itself as a neutral body in 1971.
It has mountainous regions, which gives it an edge if people try to sneak up on its border.
Switzerland is known for neutrality (Getty Stock Image)
Switzerland
Switzerland is well-known to be a neutral party in any conflict and even stayed out of providing Ukraine with assistance during Russia's invasion.
So, there really is no reason for any other country to try to drag the nation in, if they’ve never been part of conflicts.
Indonesia
Much like Switzerland, Indonesia has largely kept itself to itself, and has even joined Donald Trump’s controversial Board of Peace to further its global peacekeeping efforts.
Chile
Chile, the home of fantastic wine and food, would be a great place to go if war broke out.
With a coastline that goes on for miles, and an abundance of natural resources, you can enjoy a full-bodied bottle of red whilst taking shelter.
Fiji
Like Antarctica, Fiji is far away from other countries – and around 2,700 miles away Australia.
With large forests and minerals, it’s like a natural shield from watching eyes in the sky.
South Africa
Like Chile, South Africa is also known for its wine and vineyards, but its also got plenty of food, farming land and fresh water.
So, it could get by unscathed.
Also, when have you ever heard of South Africa getting involved in international wars? Exactly.
Iran strikes: what you need to know
Why are the United States and Israel attacking Iran?
US President Donald Trump announced on Saturday (28 February) that the US and Israel have started 'major combat operations' in Iran after explosions were heard in multiple cities across the country.
Following a significant buildup of US forces in the region in recent weeks, Trump declared in a video posted on Truth Social that 'we are going to destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground'.
Alongside hundreds of civilian casualties - including at least 165 people, most children, after a reported strike hit a school in Minab - Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was confirmed dead following Israeli missile strikes around Tehran.
According to Trump, the aim of this weekend's attacks were to 'ensure that Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon'.
This has come after weeks of Trump threatening military action in Iran if the Middle Eastern country did not agree to a new deal over its nuclear programme. However, Iran has insisted repeatedly that its nuclear activities are 'entirely peaceful'.
What areas of the Middle East have been affected?
In retaliation to the US and Israeli strikes, Iran has launched strikes of its own on Israel and Gulf Arab countries, which include Qatar, the UAE, Bahrain and Kuwait.
The BBC reports that at least nine people were killed in a strike on the Israeli city of Beit Shemesh, while military and civilian targets - including an American naval base in Bahrain and Dubai's international airport in the United Arab Emirates - were also targeted across the weekend.
Several videos have been posted on social media from tourists and civilians that show the damage inflicted across these areas from missile and drone strikes, including many British citizens who are currently stranded in Dubai.
Meanwhile, after Lebanon's Iranian-backed militia Hezbollah fired missiles at the Israeli city of Haifa, Israel responded with its own strikes.
On Tuesday (3 March), Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz promised IDF troops on the ground would 'advance and seize additional strategic areas in Lebanon in order to prevent fire on Israeli border communities'.
Topics: Russia, Iran, US News, World News
Britt Jones