Joint attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran reportedly killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, triggering retaliatory strikes across the region and sending shockwaves worldwide. Violence spread on Sunday, 1 March, as the death toll rose and fears of a broader regional war intensified.

The strikes, which began on Saturday, 28 February, also raised concerns about global economic disruption. International reactions ranged from celebration to condemnation, while many observers began asking which countries might be safest if a third world war were to erupt.

Experts say the safest countries tend to share several traits: political neutrality, low levels of militarisation, and geographic isolation. According to the Institute for Economics & Peace, the world’s most peaceful nations also have strong institutions and limited involvement in conflicts, although even they would face consequences in a global war, particularly one involving nuclear weapons.

Antarctica is considered the most remote place on Earth, hosting only research stations and no permanent population, making direct involvement in conflict unlikely. Iceland, ranked first on the 2025 Global Peace Index, stands out for its minimal militarisation, small population, and long-standing political stability.

New Zealand’s distance from major power blocs, along with agricultural self-sufficiency and protective terrain, could offer resilience in a global crisis. Tuvalu, a small Pacific island nation, is highly isolated and has little strategic value, reducing the likelihood that it would be targeted.

Other possible safe locations include Argentina, which has vast agricultural resources and low population density; Switzerland, known for its neutrality and strong civil-defence infrastructure; and Bhutan, protected by mountainous terrain and a history of neutrality. Chile, Fiji, and South Africa are also cited for their distance from major powers, solid infrastructure, and resource availability. Experts emphasise that safety is relative, as no country would be completely shielded from global war’s fallout, economic disruption, and instability.

Meanwhile, Iran experienced a 4.3-magnitude earthquake in Gerash on 3 March during the ongoing missile strikes. Although speculation on social media suggested a nuclear test, seismologists and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization confirmed the tremor was a natural tectonic event in the region’s active seismic zone.