Safest places to be if WW3 erupts amid rising tensions after US strikes on Iran

As tensions explode across the Middle East, the 12 safest places to be if global conflict breaks out have been revealed.

The world is on edge after a major US-Israel military offensive against Iran resulted in the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Khamenei was killed on Sunday (February 28), in coordinated strikes targeting his Tehran compound and other leadership sites during the opening phase of the offensive.

The attack also claimed the lives of dozens of other senior Iranian officials and even members of his family.

Escalating conflict in the Middle East

The Pentagon confirmed on the weekend that three US service members have been killed in the war with Iran, the first American casualties of the operation.

According to CBS News, the casualties occurred among American personnel based in Kuwait.

President Trump made clear the offensive could be prolonged. He released a video message saying the military operation will continue “until all of our objectives are achieved” and warned that more casualties are possible.

"America will avenge their deaths and deliver the most punishing blow to the terrorists who have waged war against basically civilization," he said.

"I once again urge the Revolutionary Guards, the Iranian military police, to lay down your arms and receive full immunity or face certain death. It will be certain death, it won't be pretty," he added.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed that his country’s strikes on Iran “will increase even more in the coming days," adding: "[US support] allows us to do what I have been hoping to do for 40 years - to strike the terrorist regime squarely in the face. I promised - and so we will," per Middle East Eye.

In total, Iranian authorities say 555 people have been killed in US and Israeli strikes that began two days ago, with some 131 cities affected, the Iranian Red Crescent said on Telegram.

"Following the Zionist-American terrorist attacks carried out in various regions of our country, 131 cities have been affected to date and, regrettably, 555 of our compatriots have been killed," the humanitarian group said in a post on Telegram.

The safest places if World War III breaks out

If any of the current international conflicts spiral into a third world war, many regions and nations would be drawn into the fight.

However, a handful of countries and territories could be safer from direct military engagement and nuclear fallout, according to Metro.

Antarctica

Remote and devoid of political alliances, but brutally cold.

Iceland

Peaceful and geographically isolated. The country tops many peace rankings due to its long history of neutrality and low geopolitical significance

New Zealand and Australia

If Iceland holds the top spot on the Global Peace Index, New Zealand ranks second, and Australia is not far behind.

Both countries have mountainous landscapes ideal for shelter and are positioned in the Southern Hemisphere.

Investigative journalist and author Annie Jacobsen has explained that Australia and New Zealand could be two of the best places to stay as they are among the only places in the Southern Hemisphere capable of "sustaining agriculture",

"Places like Iowa and Ukraine would be just snow for 10 years. So agriculture would fail and when agriculture fails, people just die," Jacobsen said. "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," they added.

Switzerland

The European nation is known for neutrality and is equipped with widespread nuclear shelters.

Tuvalu

Tuvalu, home to just 11,000 people, sits quietly in the Pacific Ocean.

It is far from major military powers and more likely to be flown over than directly targeted.

Argentina

Argentina’s rich crops and strong food supply could improve survival odds during global famine.

Bhutan

Bhutan declared itself neutral in 1971 and is shielded by mountainous terrain, making it geographically difficult to access.

Chile

Chile has a long coastline, strong infrastructure, and agricultural abundance.

Fiji

Remote and backed by a small military, Fiji ranks highly on global peace indices.

Indonesia

The Southeast Asian country is also neutral and has even joined Donald Trump’s Board of Peace.

South Africa

South Africa has fertile land, fresh water, and advanced infrastructure that could support sustainable living during prolonged instability.

Featured image credit: Anadolu / Getty