President Donald Trump has acknowledged the possibility of Iranian retaliation on U.S. soil, stating that when the United States goes to war, “some people will die.”
But in the event of World War III, where in the United States might be the safest place to be? Some experts believe they have an answer.
Concerns about a potential global conflict are increasing as geopolitical tensions continue to rise, with the ongoing war between the United States and Iran adding to growing fears.
As of Wednesday, March 4, more than 1,000 people were reported killed in the Middle East conflict, which has also spread to nearby regions.
Officials have warned that the situation could escalate further, raising concerns about a broader regional war with serious global consequences.
When asked whether Americans should worry about possible retaliatory attacks on U.S. soil amid the conflict, Donald Trump acknowledged the risk in an interview with Time.
“I guess,” he said.
“But I think they’re worried about that all the time. We think about it all the time. We plan for it. But yeah, you know, we expect some things,” he added.
“Like I said, some people will die. When you go to war, some people will die,” the president said.
Closer than many think, according to some
Some world leaders believe the world may already be closer to a global conflict than many realize. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told the BBC that the war following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine could already be the beginning of a wider global conflict.
“I believe that Putin has already started it [WW3]. The question is how much territory he will be able to seize and how to stop him.”
“Russia wants to impose a different way of life on the world and change the lives people have chosen for themselves.”
Public opinion appears to reflect similar concerns.
A YouGov survey conducted in the UK, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain found that between 41% and 55% of respondents in each country believe another world war could occur within the next five to ten years. In the United States, around 45% of Americans share that belief.
Even more concerning, a majority of respondents think any future global war would likely involve nuclear weapons. According to the survey, between 68% and 76% of those questioned expect nuclear arms would be used if such a conflict breaks out.
Because of this risk, researchers have also looked into which locations might be safer—or more vulnerable—in such a scenario.
Safest places in the U.S.
Outside the United States, several historically neutral countries are often cited as relatively safer options during global conflicts. Switzerland, for example, has maintained neutrality for over two centuries. Ireland and Austria also have long traditions of staying out of major wars, while Denmark is sometimes mentioned as a stable and defensible nation.
New analysis also suggests that location within the United States could play a significant role in safety during a nuclear conflict, with proximity to military targets being a key factor.
According to research reported by Newsweek, many East Coast and Southeast states may be less likely to be immediate targets in a nuclear strike. These include Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, along with several Midwestern states.
However, experts also warn that some central U.S. states could face higher risk in a worst-case scenario.
States such as Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, Iowa, and Minnesota are considered more vulnerable due to their proximity to key U.S. missile silo locations.
In the event of a nuclear war, these silos would likely be among the first targets, as disabling them could prevent retaliatory strikes, leaving surrounding areas more exposed.
Still, analysts emphasize that geography alone does not guarantee safety.
With thousands of nuclear weapons still in existence worldwide, experts warn that major cities, military bases, and critical infrastructure could all become potential targets in a large-scale conflict.
In short, while some areas may appear less exposed than others, specialists caution that in a nuclear war, “no place is completely safe.”
