World War III: A Continental Response
General view of a Security Council Meeting on the Israel-Iran conflict at United Nations headquarters on June 24, 2025 in New York. The Israeli government said it had agreed to the US-proposed ceasefire after achieving all of its objectives in the war with Iran, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailing a "historic victory". Armed forces chief Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir said Israel's strikes had set back Iran's nuclear programme "by years" while Netanyahu vowed to thwart "any attempt" by Iran to rebuild it.
The world is experiencing escalating conflicts rippling across the Middle East, Eurasia, Asia, and Africa. In a dramatic escalation, the US (United States) launched missile strikes at Iran targeting suspected nuclear facilities–triggered by Israel's confrontation with Iran. Weeks of crossfire between the two countries saw the US involved noting its longstanding nuclear policy towards Iran, North Korea, and Iraq. The flames of war are fanned by hostilities and changing global alliances, threatening to ignite multiple conflicts globally.
In the Middle-East, Iran has responded to the US by launching an attack on its US base in Al Udeid, Qatar. Preceding this attack, Gulf countries–Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and Bahrain have been engaging in coordinated response drills. Due to rising regional security tensions, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has taken the precaution of partially activating its emergency response centre. Meanwhile, Palestinians in Gaza continue to suffer under Israeli military actions, with Iran backing Hamas in a manner comparable to Israel's support for the Iranian dissident group, the People's Mujahedin of Iran.
In Asia, the conflict between India and Pakistan over Kashmir has intensified, with Iran's ties to Shia militias and Israel's cooperation with India subtly shaping the broader regional dynamics. In the days following the exchanges between Iran and Israel, oil prices surged between 7-11 percent following initial strikes. One third of the world's seaborne oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz. Prolonged disruption would add $500 Billion to the Asian continent's annual import bill. China has emphasised diplomacy calling for international efforts to ease tensions between Israel and Iran.
Africa is facing a multitude of challenges as the Iran-Israel-US war progresses. Brent crude prices are set to skyrocket due to disruptions faced in the Strait of Hormuz. Refined import to countries such as Kenya, Ghana, and Senegal are also impacted. The continent remains divided over the Iran-Israel-US conflict, with some countries like Algeria, Sudan (pre-normalisation), and South Africa–contemplating the closure of its Israeli Embassy–historically leaning toward Iran often citing solidarity with Palestine. In contrast, others such as Morocco, Egypt, and Kenya maintain strong security and economic ties with the US and, in some cases, formal or informal relations with Israel.
The war between Russia and Ukraine has been a major source of instability in Eurasia. Iran has supported Russia with its war against Ukraine–diplomatically and militarily–mirroring the US and Europe's support for Ukraine. As Netenyahu warns the US of an Iranian threat, Zelensky has warned that Russia may soon expand its military operations across Europe, prompting the continent to prepare for possible escalation.
In the Americas, the US has ramped up preparations for a potential military confrontation with China and Russia and its recent attack on Iran serves as a clear warning to its geopolitical rivals. Sanctioned Cuba, a long-time ally of both Iran and Russia, condemned the US for escalating tensions in the Middle East. Further south, Brazil is set to host the upcoming BRICS summit, where peacebuilding and diplomatic solutions are expected to top the agenda.
The Iran-Israel conflict has rapidly evolved into a global crisis with far-reaching consequences. In the Middle East, military engagements and regional defence coordination have intensified. Asia faces possible economic shocks due to energy disruptions, while African allegiance is divided grappling with fuel shortages and diplomatic fractures. Eurasia remains on edge from the enduring war in Ukraine. The Americas are divided—between US militarism and Latin American ambivalence. This moment underscores the collapse of isolated conflicts in favour of a deeply interconnected world, heightening the risk of global insecurity.
Cole Jackson
Lead Associate at BRICS+ Consulting Group
Chinese & Latin American Specialist
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