Washington D.C. – Former President Donald Trump stated on Saturday, November 1, 2025, that the United States would conduct nuclear tests if other nations resumed such activity. He indicated the U.S. would mirror any testing conducted by other countries, promising “some trials.”
“We will do some trials, yes, and other countries do it. If they will do it, we will do it,” Trump said, according too a report by AFP. This declaration follows a recent declaration on October 30th, made while in South Korea, where Trump revealed he had directed the department of Defense (referred to as the “War Department” in his statement) to prepare to restart nuclear weapons testing – a practice halted for 33 years.
The move comes amid concerns over recent nuclear-capable missile and drone tests by Russia, specifically the Burevestnik missile and the poseidon drone. Trump explicitly referenced these developments, stating via his Truth Social platform, “Because other countries are testing programs, I have instructed the War Department to begin testing our nuclear weapons on an equal footing.” He added,”The process will start soon.”
The announcement has drawn swift international reaction. Nihon Hidankyo, a Japanese group of atomic bomb survivors and 2024 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, condemned Trump’s order as “completely unacceptable” and lodged a strong protest with the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo. China urged the U.S. to “strictly comply” with the global nuclear test ban. Russia,while maintaining it had not conducted a test,indicated it would reciprocate any U.S. action. Iran characterized the potential move as “regressive and irresponsible.”
Trump did not specify the type of nuclear test the U.S. would conduct, nor did he identify which countries specifically prompted his directive.The potential resumption of nuclear testing raises concerns about a renewed arms race and the erosion of decades-long efforts to limit the proliferation of nuclear weapons.
