US Energy Secretary Reassures Public Amid Nuclear Testing Concerns

The United States government has no intention of conducting nuclear explosions, Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated, alleviating global anxiety following comments made by President Donald Trump regarding military weapons testing.

In an interview on Fox News, Chris Wright reassured citizens that the recent discussions surrounding nuclear capabilities do not involve actual nuclear detonations. "These are not nuclear explosions," he affirmed, referring to what are termed non-critical explosions.

Wright's remarks came shortly after Trump announced on the social media platform Truth Social that he had instructed defence officials to initiate nuclear weapons testing comparable to that of adversarial nations.

"Americans living near historical test sites, such as the Nevada National Security Site, have no cause for concern," Wright reiterated. He explained that the testing involved other components of nuclear weapons to ensure they function correctly, rather than actual nuclear detonations.

Trump's statements on Truth Social were interpreted by many as an indication that the United States might be preparing to resume full-scale nuclear tests for the first time since 1992. In a separate interview with CBS's 60 Minutes, which aired on Sunday, Trump maintained his stance. "I'm saying that we're going to test nuclear weapons like other countries do, yes," he stated when questioned about his intentions regarding nuclear testing.

He noted that countries such as Russia and China engage in testing without public disclosure. Notably, both Russia and China have refrained from conducting nuclear tests since 1990 and 1996, respectively.

When pressed further on the matter, Trump expressed a desire for the United States to remain competitive. "I don't want to be the only country that doesn't test," he added, also mentioning North Korea and Pakistan as nations that are allegedly conducting their own tests.

In response to Trump's comments, China's foreign ministry firmly denied any ongoing nuclear testing activities. Spokeswoman Mao Ning stated at a press briefing in Beijing that, as a responsible nuclear power, China adheres to a self-defence nuclear strategy and has committed to suspending nuclear tests. She urged the United States to take concrete actions to support international nuclear disarmament and maintain global stability.

Similarly, Russia has denied conducting any nuclear tests. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov remarked that any information suggesting otherwise was misinterpreted, referencing specific Russian weapon systems. "This cannot in any way be interpreted as a nuclear test," he told reporters.

North Korea remains the only nation to have conducted nuclear tests since the 1990s, although it announced a moratorium on such testing in 2018.

The precise number of nuclear warheads possessed by each country is classified. However, estimates suggest that Russia holds approximately 5,459 warheads, while the United States has around 5,177, according to the Federation of American Scientists (FAS). Other estimates from the Arms Control Association indicate that the US stockpile may be slightly higher, at about 5,225 warheads, while Russia's total is estimated at approximately 5,580.

China ranks as the third-largest nuclear power globally, possessing about 600 warheads, followed by France with 290, the United Kingdom with 225, India with 180, Pakistan with 170, Israel with 90, and North Korea with 50, according to FAS data. Furthermore, the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) has indicated that China's nuclear arsenal has roughly doubled over the past five years and is projected to surpass 1,000 weapons by 2030.