![\"Smoke](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/SEI_287131901-bb68.jpg\")
\n\t\tSmoke rises after Iran carried out a missile strike in Bahrain (Picture: Stringer\/Anadolu via Getty Images)<\/p>\n
\t\t
\n\t\tSmoke rises after Iran carried out a missile strike in Bahrain (Picture: Stringer\/Anadolu via Getty Images)<\/p>\n
As the US <\/a>and Israel launch airstrikes in Iran, with Tehran ordering their own retaliation against its neighbours fears are growing World War III is breaking out<\/a>.<\/p>\n Donald Trump<\/a>\u00a0has confirmed the US military has launched \u2018major combat operations\u2019<\/a> against Iran with airstrikes across the country, while Iran says it is carrying out counterattacks.<\/p>\n Iran\u2019s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was reportedly the target of the US-Israel airstrikes on Tehran<\/a>, which have sparked a retaliation from the regime.<\/p>\n Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said in a joint statement with the leaders of France and Germany that Iran must \u2018refrain from indiscriminate military strikes\u2019.<\/p>\n And as Putin continues his bombardment of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky said the Russian dictator has already started World War III. <\/a><\/p>\n He told the\u00a0BBC<\/a>: \u2018I believe that Putin has already started it. The question is how much territory he will be able to seize and how to stop him.<\/p>\n \u2018\u2026Russia<\/a>\u00a0wants to impose on the world a different way of life and change the lives people have chosen for themselves.\u2019<\/p>\n If \u2018World War III<\/a>\u2019 did break out, however, some parts of the world are likely to avoid the brunt. Here we take a closer look at where might be a sensible place to hide out<\/a>.<\/p>\n Antarctica<\/p>\n \t\t The continent sits at the most southerly point of the planet making it one of the safest places to survive a nuclear war. <\/p>\n There is an enormous geographic distance between Antarctica<\/a> and countries with nuclear warheads.<\/p>\n With more than 14 million square kilometres, there is plenty of room for people to take refuge. <\/p>\n But some may find the icy and freezing climate unforgiving. <\/p>\n Iceland<\/p>\n \t\t Iceland<\/a> has earned a reputation as one of the most peaceful countries in the world.<\/p>\n The country has consistently topped the Global Peace Index, having never taken part in a full-scale war or invasion.<\/p>\n Iceland\u2019s government has signed bilateral agreements with Ukraine, although its support is limited to financing and a small amount of transportation.<\/p>\n A relatively remote island geographically, it would avoid the effects of conventional war in Europe \u2013 although the fallout of widespread nuclear strikes on the mainland would likely reach its shores in small amounts.<\/p>\n New Zealand<\/p>\n \t\t New Zealand<\/a> ranks second in the Global Peace Index and has taken a neutral stance on most conflicts.<\/p>\n The country also has a mountainous terrain making it easier for citizens to be protected. <\/p>\n The Kiwi government has provided financial support to Ukraine\u2019s military and assisted in action against Russia in the International Court of Justice.<\/p>\n However it is extremely unlikely to face any attacks in the event of a Western conflict with Russia.<\/p>\n Switzerland<\/p>\n \t\t This country is the most readily associated with political neutrality, even during World War Two. <\/p>\n It is well protected by its terrain, landlocked geography and various nuclear shelters. <\/p>\n Switzerland<\/a> is one of the few European countries not to have provided assistance to Ukraine, and has even been accused of favouring Russia through its neutrality \u2013 so Putin is unlikely to see it as an enemy.<\/p>\n The Swiss government has blocked the delivery of Swiss-made weapons and ammo bought from other European countries who blocked them.<\/p>\n Indonesia <\/p>\n \t\t Indonesia<\/a> has often taken a neutral stance on political issues, with the country\u2019s first president, Achmed Sukarno, describing their foreign policy as \u2018free and active\u2019.<\/p>\n They act independently within international affairs, and say they are most concerned with world peace. <\/p>\n Tuvalu<\/p>\n \t\t Tuvalu is located in the Pacific Ocean, halfway between Hawaii and Australia. <\/p>\n Only 11,000 people live on the island and it has weak infrastructure.<\/p>\n It also has a limited number of natural resources, meaning it would make an undesirable target to any aggressors. <\/p>\n Argentina<\/p>\n \t\t Although Argentina<\/a> has engaged in conflict, most notably during the Falklands War in 1982, the country is one of the most likely places to survive famine.<\/p>\n The country has an abundance of crop, including wheat, which means if nuclear dust were to block the sun, Argentinians will already have crops in supply. <\/p>\n Bhutan<\/p>\n \t\t In 1971 Bhutan declared itself neutral in regards to any conflict after joining the United Nations. <\/p>\n It is also landlocked and surrounded by mountainous regions, making it easier to defend the country. <\/p>\n Chile <\/p>\n \t\t The country\u2019s 4,000 mile long coastline spans the distance between Moscow and Madrid. <\/p>\n Chile<\/a> is also home to a variety of different crops and natural resources, making survival easier.<\/p>\n Its infrastructure and development is also considered the most advanced in South America. <\/p>\n Fiji<\/p>\n \t\t The island nation is 2,700 miles away from its closest country Australia. <\/p>\n Along with a lack of clear military strategy and an army consisting of just 6,000 soldiers, Fiji<\/a> ranks highly on the Global Peace Index.<\/p>\n Much of the island is also made up of dense forests, minerals and fishing spots. <\/p>\n South Africa<\/p>\n \t\t South Africa<\/a> is home to multiple sources of food, fertile land and fresh water, making survival easy.<\/p>\n The country\u2019s modern infrastructure could also increase chances of survival as these resources are managed. <\/p>\n This is an updated version of a previous article published November 22, 2024.<\/p>\n Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk<\/a>.<\/p>\n For more stories like this, check our news page<\/a>.<\/p>\n Arrow Arrow Arrow![\"ANTARCTICA](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/SEI_175785305-7a0f-e1697185033698.jpg\")
\n\t\tThere is plenty of room for people to take refuge (Picture: Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"Aerial](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/SEI_187854794-ac8e.jpg\")
\n\t\tIceland is one of the most peaceful countries in the world(Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"Overlooking](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/SEI_187854805-2caa.jpg\")
\n\t\tThe country\u2019s mountainous terrain makes it easier for citizens to be protected (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"Grindelwald,](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/SEI_158194439-342e.jpg\")
\n\t\tSwitzerland is well protected by its terrain (Picture: Shutterstock\/pkul)<\/p>\n![\"Jatiluwih](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/SEI_187854789-ff48.jpg\")
\n\t\tIndonesia acts independently within international affairs (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"FUNAFUTI,](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/SEI_187889730-fd50.jpg\")
\n\t\tThe island is located halfway between Hawaii and Australia (Picture: Mario Tama\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"Ushuaia](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/SEI_187889800-9717.jpg\")
\n\t\tThe country is one of the most likely places to survive famine(Picture: Getty Images\/iStockphoto)<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/GettyImages-1002094878.jpg\")
\n\t\tBhutan is landlocked and surrounded by mountainous regions (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/SEI_187889793-e3bf.jpg\")
\n\t\tChile\u2019s infrastructure and development is considered the most advanced in South America (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"Fiji](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/SEI_187854756-4223.jpg\")
\n\t\tMuch of the island is also made up of dense forests, minerals and fishing spots(Picture: Getty Images\/Westend61)<\/p>\n![\"City](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/SEI_187854740-330f.jpg\")
\n\t\tThe country\u2019s modern infrastructure could also increase chances of survival(Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
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