Overview
- Neither the White House nor the Pentagon has clarified whether the president meant explosive nuclear detonations or tests of delivery systems, and no sites or timelines have been announced.
- Russia said its recent trials involved nuclear‑capable systems rather than explosive tests and warned it would resume testing if any country breaks the moratorium, as the United Nations voiced strong concern.
- Iran condemned the move as “regressive,” and China urged Washington to honor its Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty commitments and uphold the long-standing testing moratorium.
- Specialists and advocacy groups say restarting underground explosive tests would likely take years and face legal, technical and political hurdles, with estimates of roughly 24–36 months to prepare Nevada for a contained shot.
- Trump’s assertion that the U.S. has the world’s largest arsenal conflicts with independent tallies showing Russia holds more warheads, and even the nominee to lead U.S. Strategic Command told senators he could not interpret the president’s intent.