The recent Israeli military strikes on Iran have sharply escalated global tensions, prompting serious concerns about the possibility of a third world war. While several nations have condemned the attack and called for restraint, experts suggest that the future course of global conflict will largely depend on the stance adopted by two major world powers — Russia and China.
The attack on Iranian nuclear and military installations by Israel was described as a “preemptive strike,” targeting Tehran’s alleged nuclear advancements. Iran has vowed a “crushing retaliation,” and has already begun mobilising regional allies and strengthening its military posture.
This escalation comes at a time when the Middle East is already on edge due to ongoing conflicts in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria. The latest development threatens to turn the regional crisis into a global conflict if international players become directly involved.
Both Russia and China maintain strong strategic and economic ties with Iran. Russia, already entangled in its war with Ukraine and facing increasing isolation from the West, may see this moment as an opportunity to reinforce its alliance with Iran. Similarly, China, heavily dependent on Middle Eastern oil and a vocal critic of Western military interventions, has called for peace but remains firmly opposed to unilateral aggression.
Any decision by Moscow and Beijing to provide active military or economic support to Tehran could draw the world’s superpowers into a direct confrontation.
The United States has expressed support for Israel’s right to defend itself, but has urged both sides to avoid further escalation. NATO allies are closely monitoring the situation, with military readiness levels quietly being elevated in several European countries.
India, the European Union, and the United Nations have all called for diplomatic solutions, warning that a wider war would have catastrophic consequences for global peace and the economy.
As the world watches anxiously, the unfolding scenario could either fizzle out with backchannel diplomacy or erupt into a large-scale war depending on how Russia and China react. The coming days will be crucial in determining whether the conflict remains contained or triggers a global catastrophe.
