Iran-Israel conflict: Are we on brink of World War III?

NEW DELHI: The United States and its allies are preparing to impose additional sanctions on Iran in response to its unprecedented attack on Israel. The goal is to discourage Israel from escalating the situation further, as its war cabinet is set to convene for a third time on Wednesday to determine a course of action.
Although the attack on Saturday night resulted in no casualties and minimal damage, thanks to the air defences and countermeasures of Israel and its allies, concerns are growing that the violence stemming from the six-month-long Gaza war is escalating, potentially leading to open conflict between long-time foes Iran and Israel.
Herzi Halevi, Israel's military chief of staff, had vowed that Iran's launch of more than 300 missiles, cruise missiles, and drones at Israeli territory "will be met with a response," but provided no specifics.
According to an Israeli government source, the war cabinet meeting originally scheduled for Tuesday has been postponed until Wednesday, without providing further details.
'Prelude to World War III'
Meanwhile, Iran's attack on Israel has sparked a flurry of reactions from global leaders and experts, urging restraint and expressing concern over the potential for a broader conflict.
According to a CNBC report, Colombian President Gustavo Petro warned of the potential beginnings of a "World War III" and criticized the support of certain genocidal actions by major powers, emphasizing the need for immediate peace commitments from the United Nations.
According to a Sky News report, UK defence secretary Grant Shapps has expressed concern that the world might be moving "from a post-war to pre-war world," indicating possible conflicts involving major global players like China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran within the next five years. The ongoing war in Ukraine and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza have only added to these fears.
Expert opinions
Hugh Lovatt, a senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, offers a slightly reassuring perspective, saying, "The reassuring news is we are not heading towards the Third World War." He notes that while there are significant conflicts and tensions in regions like Ukraine, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, these are "separate and not connected." However, he also mentions the risk of British troops getting drawn into Middle Eastern conflicts and stresses that the fraying international order is a serious concern.
Deborah Haynes, Sky News security and defence editor, believes that while a global confrontation is not inevitable, it is "more likely now than at any time since the end of the last world war." The recent escalation of tensions between Iran and Israel, where Iran launched a barrage of missiles and drones, has heightened these concerns. Haynes points out that any military response from Israel could trigger further escalations, potentially involving their major allies like the UK and the US.
Edward R Arnold, a senior research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, emphasizes that the North Atlantic Treaty, which forms the foundation of NATO, does not guarantee automatic escalation in response to conflicts. He mentions the increased risk of miscommunication in military engagements, such as accidental engagements between ships, which could inadvertently lead to broader conflicts, the Sky News report added.
(With inputs from agencies)