Is nuclear war on the horizon? Iran's preparations and proliferation of nuclear-related toolkits have raised questions about the possibility of a nuclear conflict being taken more seriously. Although such a scenario cannot be completely ruled out, it would be premature to conclude that a nuclear war is imminent. The more important question is what the potential scenarios will look like, how such a conflict could develop and what its consequences will be for the region and the wider world. A nuclear attack on Iran would have consequences far beyond its borders. The Gulf region and South Asia could face devastating consequences, especially because of their geographic proximity and their interconnected environmental, economic and security systems. Radioactive fallout can spread across national borders, contaminating air, water, agricultural land and food supplies, with serious long-term consequences for civilian populations. Depending on the scale and location of the attack and prevailing weather patterns, the effects could extend across several countries, endangering millions of lives. The disruption in energy supply, maritime trade, regional stability and public health may also be unprecedented. Therefore, the possibility of a nuclear conflict must be examined in all seriousness. A nuclear strike against Iran will not remain an isolated military event limited to Iranian territory. Its humanitarian, environmental, economic and geopolitical consequences may affect the entire region and possibly reach much further. These scenarios require careful evaluation, but should not be confused with evidence that a nuclear attack is imminent.