Amid rising tensions across the world, a so-called "Doomsday map" has revealed the 12 safest places to be if global conflict breaks out.
Tensions between Israel and Iran reached a new peak this week, raising international fears of a potential World War III.
In the latest escalation, the United States joined Israeli forces in targeting Iranian nuclear facilities. Israeli jets conducted overnight raids on military infrastructure in Kermanshah, while Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed a new wave of "intense strikes against regime targets in the heart of Tehran," Sky News reported.
The Israeli military detailed its campaign, claiming it had "severely struck government targets in the heart of Tehran," eliminated "another senior nuclear scientist," and secured "full air control over Tehran's skies".
Per NBC News, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the Rising Lion operation had "removed a dual immediate existential threat" posed by Iran’s nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles.
Iran retaliated on Monday (June 24), firing a limited missile attack at a US military base in Qatar in response to the American strikes on three of its nuclear facilities days earlier.
The renewed hostilities triggered air raid sirens across Israel at dawn, with citizens rushing to bomb shelters. At least four people were killed and eight more injured, according to Magen David Adom, Israel’s national emergency medical service.
Despite US President Donald Trump announcing a ceasefire shortly after 1:00AM ET, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi denied a formal agreement had been reached. "There is no ceasefire agreement with Israel," he said.
However, he added, “[Iran] has no intention to continue military operations if Israel stops its attacks,” which Trump indicated would conclude later on Tuesday.
Nevertheless, the fighting did not pause. Just before 6:00AM local time, more IDF sirens sounded - despite Iran’s assertion that it had halted its response at 4:00AM.
Among the fresh wave of missiles, one struck a residential building in southern Israel, killing four civilians and wounding at least a dozen more.
The conflict, now entering its twelfth day, has taken a heavy toll on both nations.
Human Rights Activists told the Associated Press that Israeli airstrikes have killed at least 950 people in Iran and wounded 3,450, comprising military and civilian casualties. Meanwhile, in Israel, Iranian missile attacks have left 24 people dead, according to local officials, as reported by CBS News.
Despite the ongoing violence, President Trump declared on Truth Social: "THE CEASEFIRE IS NOW IN EFFECT. PLEASE DO NOT VIOLATE IT!"
However, Israeli leadership maintains that any violation of the ceasefire will be met with full force. "Israel will respond forcefully to any violation of the ceasefire," Netanyahu warned, casting doubt on the truce’s stability, cited by BBC News.
IDF officials urged Israeli citizens to remain in shelters and follow Home Front Command instructions, adding: "The public is requested to follow the instructions of the Home Front Command. At this time, the Air Force is operating to intercept and strike wherever necessary to eliminate the threat."
Searching for Safety: Where to Go If World War III Breaks Out
With fears of global war mounting, interest has surged in where one might actually be safe should a nuclear or conventional world conflict unfold.
Based on geographic isolation, political neutrality, and natural resources, several countries and territories are considered strongholds of survival, as shared by the Daily Mail.
- Antarctica: Remote and devoid of political alliances, but brutally cold.
- Iceland: Peaceful and geographically isolated, although minor nuclear fallout could reach its shores.
- New Zealand: Mountainous and neutral, it offers natural protection and low strategic value.
- Switzerland: Known for neutrality and equipped with widespread nuclear shelters.
- Greenland: Sparsely populated and politically neutral, it is an unlikely target.
- Indonesia: Adheres to a ‘free and active’ foreign policy, often steering clear of global alliances.
- Tuvalu: Its small population and limited resources make it strategically unimportant.
- Argentina: Rich in crops and food supply, improving survival odds during famine.
- Bhutan: Declared itself neutral in 1971, shielded by mountainous terrain.
- Chile: Long coastline, strong infrastructure, and agricultural abundance.
- Fiji: Remote with a small military, ranking highly on global peace indices.
- South Africa: Fertile land, fresh water, and advanced infrastructure support sustainable living.
So, there you have it. These are what the Mail reports the be the "safest countries" on the planet. Let's just hope we never need to utilize this information.