US Energy Secretary Chris Wright has stated that planned tests by the US are "non-critical explosions" and "not nuclear explosions," clarifying remarks made by former President Donald Trump. Trump had indicated a desire for the US to resume nuclear weapons testing on par with other nations. However, Russia and China have denied conducting nuclear tests since the 1990s, with North Korea being the only country to have done so in recent decades.
Energy Secretary's Clarification
Energy Secretary Chris Wright confirmed that the US is not planning to conduct nuclear explosions. Wright, whose agency oversees testing, described the planned activities as "non-critical explosions," explaining that these tests involve "all the other parts of a nuclear weapon to make sure they deliver the appropriate geometry, and they set up the nuclear explosion." He also stated that Americans near sites such as the Nevada National Security Site have "no cause for concern" regarding the appearance of a mushroom cloud.
Donald Trump's Statements
Former President Donald Trump recently stated on Truth Social that he had directed defense officials to "start testing our nuclear weapons on an equal basis" with rival powers. In an interview with CBS's 60 Minutes, Trump reiterated his intention for the US to "test nuclear weapons like other countries do." He asserted that "Russia's testing, and China's testing, but they don't talk about it," and expressed a desire for the US not to be "the only country that doesn't test." Trump also included North Korea and Pakistan in his claims of nations allegedly testing their arsenals. Trump's comments were interpreted by many as a potential restart of full-scale US nuclear blasts for the first time since 1992.
International Responses and Testing History
China's foreign ministry denied conducting nuclear weapons tests on Monday. Spokeswoman Mao Ning stated that China, as a "responsible nuclear-weapons state," has always upheld a self-defense nuclear strategy and abided by its commitment to suspend nuclear testing. She also expressed China's hope that the US would take concrete actions to safeguard the international nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime.
Russia's Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also denied on Thursday that Russia had carried out nuclear tests. Referencing Russian weapons named Poseidon and Burevestnik, Peskov clarified that related information "cannot in any way be interpreted as a nuclear test."
Historical records indicate that Russia has not conducted nuclear tests since 1990, and China has not done so since 1996. North Korea is the only country documented to have carried out nuclear testing since the 1990s, though Pyongyang announced a moratorium in 2018.
Global Nuclear Arsenals
The exact number of nuclear warheads held by each country is not publicly disclosed. However, estimates from various organizations provide insights into global stockpiles:
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Federation of American Scientists (FAS):
- Russia: Approximately 5,459 warheads
- United States: Approximately 5,177 warheads
- China: Approximately 600 warheads
- France: 290 warheads
- United Kingdom: 225 warheads
- India: 180 warheads
- Pakistan: 170 warheads
- Israel: 90 warheads
- North Korea: 50 warheads
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US-based Arms Control Association (ACA):
- United States: Approximately 5,225 warheads
- Russia: Approximately 5,580 warheads
According to the US think tank Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), China has reportedly doubled its nuclear arsenal in the past five years and is projected to exceed 1,000 weapons by 2030.