Trump’s Nuclear Test Directive Sparks Global Alarm

US President Donald Trump

US President Donald Trump returned to Washington on Thursday after issuing a surprise directive to resume nuclear weapons testing, a move that has reignited fears of escalating global tensions.

The unexpected announcement, made on social media just before his summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea, left observers uncertain whether Trump referred to testing new delivery systems or conducting actual nuclear explosions — something the US has not done since 1992.

Iran swiftly condemned the decision as “irresponsible,” warning that it could undermine global security. Vice President JD Vance defended the order, saying the US arsenal needed verification to ensure it “functions properly,” but declined to clarify the scope of the testing.

“It’s an important part of American national security,” Vance said, describing the initiative as part of a necessary “testing regime.”

Trump’s statement marked a sharp departure from his self-styled image as a “peace president.” It also followed Russia’s recent claims of testing nuclear-capable cruise missiles and sea drones.

“Because of other countries’ testing programmes, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our nuclear weapons on an equal basis,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, also asserting — incorrectly — that the US possesses more nuclear warheads than any other nation.

According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Russia holds 5,489 warheads, compared to 5,177 for the United States and 600 for China.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed Trump’s claim that Russia had conducted nuclear tests, saying Moscow’s recent drills “cannot be interpreted as such.” He hinted that Russia might respond in kind if the US proceeds.

China also urged Washington to “earnestly abide” by the global nuclear testing ban, while Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused the US of being a “nuclear-armed bully” endangering world peace.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres reiterated through his spokesman that “nuclear testing can never be permitted under any circumstances.”

The US has been a signatory to the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) since 1996, though the Senate has not ratified it. The last American nuclear test was conducted in September 1992 in Nevada, after which then-President George H.W. Bush imposed a moratorium that has remained in effect.

Despite the directive, Trump maintained that he still seeks negotiations with Russia and China on nuclear reductions, saying, “Denuclearization would be a tremendous thing.”