World's safest countries revealed as WW3 fears grow after US strikes Iran
Amid rising tensions across the globe in various regions, we take a look at the some of the world's safest countries, published by the Institute for Economics and Peace
After US launching strikes in Iran last night, it seems like the world isn't the safest place of late with high profile conflicts around the world. With combat in Gaza and Ukraine still ongoing, the world is in an unstable period, with growing fears that we could see World War 3 sooner rather than later.
Given the global instability, it's worth reminding ourselves about the most peaceful countries in the world. This is ranked by the Global Peace Index (GPI) - a report that is published every year by the Institute for Economics and Peace.
It defines itself as "an independent, non-partisan, non-profit organisation dedicated to shifting the world’s focus to peace as a positive, achievable and tangible measure of human wellbeing and progress."
Unsurprisingly, Iceland makes the top of the list as the safest country on earth, a whole 33 places ahead of the United Kingdom. Europe dominates the top of the safest-places list, Birmingham Mail reported.
In total, 163 countries are featured in the reported and are ranked according to their level of safety of danger.
The world's 20 safest places
- Iceland
- Austria
- Ireland
- New Zealand
- Singapore
- Switzerland
- Portugal
- Denmark
- Slovenia
- Malaysia
- Canada
- Czech Republic
- Finland
- Hungary
- Croatia
- Belgium
- Japan
- Netherlands
- Australia
- Germany
It comes as Donald Trump took to social media to announce that he successful attacked three nuclear sites in Iran during the early hours – but officials have now warned of an "all-out war".
Tensions have been rising in the middle east since Israel launched an attack on Iran. The former country said they were specifically targeting the latter's nuclear stores for safety, but Iran responded with attacks of their own. Previously, Iranian officials warned the US against getting involved, saying it would suffer "irreparable damage" and that it risked an "all-out war" in the region.
Despite this, last night Trump took to social media to share the news his attack had been successful. According to CNN, the president launched 12 missiles, which penetrate the ground and explode underneath.
On Truth Social, Trump's post reads: "We have completed our very successful attack on the three Nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. All planes are now outside of Iran air space. A full payload of BOMBS was dropped on the primary site, Fordow.
"All planes are safely on their way home. Congratulations to our great American Warriors. There is not another military in the World that could have done this. NOW IS THE TIME FOR PEACE! Thank you for your attention to this matter".
Iran's foreign minister, Seyed Abbas Araghchi, called the "outrageous" attack "extremely dangerous, lawless and criminal behaviour". In a post on X he wrote: "The United States, a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, has committed a grave violation of the UN Charter, international law and the NPT by attacking Iran's peaceful nuclear installations.
"The events this morning are outrageous and will have everlasting consequences. Each and every member of the UN must be alarmed over this extremely dangerous, lawless and criminal behaviour. In accordance with the UN Charter and its provisions allowing a legitimate response in self-defence, Iran reserves all options to defend its sovereignty, interest, and people."
As for the UK's involvement, Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said that the UK were aware of the attack, but had no involvement. He told Sky News: "Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon, but we need a diplomatic process to turn this round."
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