A senior Pakistani official has clarified that the country “will not be the first to resume nuclear tests,” countering assertions made by U.S. President Donald Trump during a recent interview on CBS News. Trump claimed that Pakistan, alongside nations like Russia and China, has conducted nuclear weapons tests, a statement met with strong denial from Pakistan.
In response to Trump’s comments, the official emphasized, “Pakistan was not the first to carry out nuclear tests and will not be the first to resume nuclear tests.” This statement comes in the wake of Trump’s remarks on a range of nuclear powers and their testing activities, particularly highlighting North Korea’s ongoing developments in this field.
China has also responded to Trump’s assertions, with Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning stating during a press briefing that as a “responsible nuclear-weapons state,” China has maintained a commitment to a self-defense nuclear strategy and has upheld its pledge to suspend nuclear testing. She urged the U.S. to take “concrete actions” to support international nuclear disarmament and preserve global stability.
Trump’s comments were made during an interview with CBS correspondent Norah O’Donnell, where he stated, “We’re gonna test, because they test and others test.” This was shortly before Trump’s nominee for the head of STRATCOM, the U.S. military command responsible for nuclear weapons, told Congress that neither China nor Russia was conducting nuclear explosive tests. This statement contradicts Trump’s claims, raising questions about the administration’s nuclear strategy.
Since 1998, when Pakistan conducted its last known nuclear explosive test, the country has adhered to a “unilateral moratorium on nuclear testing,” despite not being a signatory to the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). The U.S. is among nearly 180 countries that have signed the CTBT, which prohibits all nuclear test explosions, yet has not ratified it. This situation has drawn criticism, particularly after Vladimir Putin revoked Russia’s ratification two years ago.
On this topic, the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reiterated its support for the objectives of the CTBT. Their official statement notes that “despite being a non-signatory state, Pakistan has been supporting the objectives and purposes of the Treaty” and affirms its position not to initiate nuclear testing in South Asia.
There has been no immediate response from the Russian government regarding Trump’s claims of secret nuclear tests. As tensions continue to escalate, the implications of these statements could further complicate international relations and nuclear policy discussions.
Questions remain regarding what Trump means by the U.S. resuming nuclear tests. He has not clarified whether this refers to actual nuclear detonations, which have not occurred in the U.S. for over 30 years, or merely expanded testing of delivery systems for nuclear warheads.
U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright, appointed by Trump, attempted to mitigate concerns over the potential for nuclear explosions, stating, “I think the tests we’re talking about right now are system tests. These are not nuclear explosions.” He explained that the testing relates to “non-critical explosions,” used to assess the components of nuclear weapons without conducting full-scale detonations.
The evolving narrative surrounding nuclear testing raises significant questions about global nuclear stability and the future of arms control efforts. As countries navigate these complex dynamics, the statements from leaders in Pakistan and China suggest a shared commitment to maintaining a cautious approach to nuclear testing.
