As Israel escalates strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, fears grow that the conflict could spill over into a global war. With the US cautious, Russia posturing, and regional powers on edge, the Israel-Iran clash has sparked heated debate over whether World War III has begun.

Russian leader Vladimir Putin told Iran's president over the phone on Friday that Moscow condemned Israeli actions against Tehran, and in a separate telephone conversation told Israel's prime minister that only diplomacy could resolve issues around Iran's nuclear programme.