US to Conduct Noncritical Nuclear Tests, Energy Secretary
Zeifman’s photo collection of the Nevada Test and Training Range also includes an image capturing the southern reaches of Area 51
The United States plans to conduct subcritical explosions as part of its nuclear weapons tests, which do not trigger a chain nuclear reaction, said US Energy Secretary Chris Wright.“We’re talking about system tests, not nuclear explosions,” Wright told Fox News, explaining that the “noncritical explosions” will test nuclear weapon components without causing a full-scale detonation.On October 29, US President Donald Trump stated that he had ordered nuclear weapons tests to be conducted “on equal terms” with other countries that allegedly have similar programs. Trump clarified on his social media platform, Truth Social, that this process would begin immediately.
AnalysisTrump’s Nuclear Testing Hints Could Kick Off a New Nuclear Arms Race With a Bang1 November, 12:26 GMTRussian President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, emphasized that the current moratorium on nuclear weapons testing is still in effect following Trump’s statements.Earlier, Executive Secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), Robert Floyd, commenting on Trump’s remarks, stated that any nuclear testing would undermine international stability and security.
