A wave of international criticism has trailed U.S. President Donald Trump’s directive ordering the resumption of nuclear weapons testing, a move that many fear could reignite global tensions and undo decades of non-proliferation efforts.
The announcement, made via social media just before Trump’s scheduled meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at a summit in South Korea, has left major world powers and peace advocates alarmed.
It remains unclear whether Trump’s directive refers to testing new nuclear weapons systems or conducting actual nuclear explosions — something the United States has not done since 1992.
Iran swiftly condemned the move as “regressive and irresponsible,” warning that it posed a grave threat to international security. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused Washington of hypocrisy, saying, “A nuclear-armed bully is resuming atomic testing while demonizing Iran’s peaceful nuclear program.”
In Japan, Nihon Hidankyo, a group representing atomic bomb survivors, submitted a protest letter to the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, describing the decision as “utterly unacceptable” and a direct contradiction to global peace efforts.
Following Trump’s meeting with Xi, China’s Foreign Ministry urged Washington to “earnestly abide by the global nuclear testing ban,” reminding the U.S. of its obligations under international treaties.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also reiterated that “nuclear testing can never be permitted under any circumstances.”
Although the United States signed the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) in 1996, the treaty has yet to be ratified by the U.S. Senate.
Speaking from the White House, Vice President JD Vance defended the president’s decision, arguing that the tests were necessary to ensure that America’s nuclear arsenal “functions properly.”
Trump’s announcement came just days after Russia reportedly tested nuclear-capable cruise missiles and sea drones. He stated on Truth Social that he had instructed the Department of War to resume testing “on an equal basis” with other nations.
According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Russia currently holds the world’s largest nuclear stockpile with 5,489 warheads, compared to 5,177 for the U.S. and 600 for China.
The Kremlin, however, denied that its recent military drills amounted to nuclear testing, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov cautioning that Russia might reconsider its stance if Washington proceeds.
Despite the global uproar, Trump reiterated his desire for negotiations with Russia and China on reducing nuclear forces, calling denuclearization “a tremendous thing.”
The last U.S. nuclear test occurred in September 1992, when a 20-kiloton underground explosion was conducted at the Nevada Nuclear Security Site. Since then, all administrations have upheld a moratorium on live tests, relying instead on computer simulations and subcritical experiments.
As global leaders voice concern, analysts warn that Trump’s move could mark a turning point in international security, potentially ushering in a new nuclear arms race.
— Hobnob News
