World Watch Trump Claims Pakistan Resuming Nuclear Testing

In a striking interview aired on CBS News’ 60 Minutes, Donald Trump asserted that several nations namely Pakistan, Russia, China and North Korea are actively conducting nuclear weapons tests, thereby justifying the United States’ decision to resume nuclear testing after more than three decades. 

Trump argued that U.S. weapons reliability depends on tests: “You have to see how they work… We’re the only country that doesn’t test.” He emphasised the strategic risk of being the exception, surrounded by rivals allegedly not subject to scrutiny.

However, confusion quickly followed. The last confirmed U.S. nuclear explosion took place in 1992, and no credible evidence supports full detonations by Pakistan or the others in recent years. Indeed, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright later clarified that Washington’s discussions were about “non-critical system tests,” not full-scale nuclear detonations. 

Critics say Trump’s statement may be aimed more at domestic political theatre and signalling rather than reflecting verified intelligence. The suggestion of Pakistan conducting tests touches on broader concerns about nuclear proliferation in South Asia, where longstanding rivalries make the region especially fraught. If Pakistan were indeed forging ahead with tests, this could destabilise the delicate strategic balance in the region, raise tensions with neighbour India, and draw global condemnation.

On the U.S. side, the idea of resuming nuclear tests has sparked debate: proponents argue it dissuades adversaries and ensures defence reliability; opponents warn of igniting a new arms race, undermining non-proliferation norms and further fracturing global trust.

Beyond the nuclear dimension, Trump’s comments reflect a wider posture of re-assertive U.S. strategic posture, one in which testing is both defence and message. Whether Pakistan or others are genuinely undertaking full tests or whether the claim is primarily rhetorical remains unsettled. What is clear: the conversation around testing is back in the spotlight, and the balance between deterrence, diplomacy and disclosure has become even more complicated.