In a bid to assuage global apprehensions, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright has categorically stated that the United States does not intend to conduct nuclear explosions. This declaration follows President Donald Trump’s recent directive to the military to resume nuclear weapons testing, a move that has sparked widespread concern. Wright, in an interview with Fox News on Sunday, emphasized that the planned tests are ‘non-critical explosions,’ aimed at ensuring the reliability of nuclear weapon components without triggering a nuclear detonation. ‘Americans near historic test sites such as the Nevada National Security Site have no cause for concern,’ Wright assured, addressing fears of a mushroom cloud resurgence. Trump’s call for testing, articulated on Truth Social, was perceived by many as a precursor to full-scale nuclear blasts, a practice dormant since 1992. However, Wright’s remarks aim to clarify that the tests are not of the same magnitude. Trump, in a subsequent interview with CBS’s 60 Minutes, reiterated his stance, asserting that the US should not lag behind other nations in nuclear testing. ‘Russia’s testing, and China’s testing, but they don’t talk about it,’ Trump remarked, adding North Korea and Pakistan to the list of nations allegedly conducting such tests. Both China and Russia have denied these allegations, with China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning affirming China’s commitment to a self-defence nuclear strategy and a moratorium on nuclear testing. Russia’s Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also refuted claims of recent nuclear tests, emphasizing that certain weapon tests should not be misconstrued as nuclear detonations. The global nuclear landscape remains tense, with the US and Russia holding the largest arsenals, followed by China, which is rapidly expanding its nuclear capabilities. The Federation of American Scientists estimates that Russia possesses approximately 5,459 warheads, while the US has about 5,177. China, with around 600 warheads, is projected to exceed 1,000 by 2030, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies. As the world watches, the US’s approach to nuclear testing continues to be a focal point of international discourse.
Trump’s planned tests are ‘not nuclear explosions’, US energy secretary says
