Trump orders Pentagon to ‘immediately’ start testing nuclear weapons after three-decade embargo
US to test nuclear weapons for first time in 30 years
- Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that he has instructed the Defense Department to immediately resume nuclear weapons testing.
- Trump justified the decision by citing "other countries testing programs," despite the US observing a voluntary moratorium on nuclear explosive testing since 1992.
- The announcement followed Russian President Vladimir Putin's claim that Russia successfully tested an atomic-powered, nuclear-capable underwater drone, Poseidon, and a nuclear-powered cruise missile.
- Russia has not tested a nuclear weapon since 1990, and China since 1996, while the US has maintained the ability to resume tests at the Nevada National Security Site.
- A former intelligence official, Beth Sanner, criticised the move, stating that breaking the test ban would benefit US adversaries more.