The U.S. government is discussing the possibility of resuming nuclear tests, but specific plans have not been finalized.

US Government Discusses the Possibility of Nuclear Testing

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said that no specific plans have been made at this time.

Washington, January 10th, TASS — US Energy Secretary Chris Wright told reporters at the White House that officials in the Biden administration are continuously discussing the possibility of the United States conducting nuclear tests, but no specific plans have been finalized yet.

When asked whether the United States intends to resume nuclear explosion testing and the possible timeline, he responded, "The relevant consultations are still ongoing." He added, "President Donald Trump insisted that our country must maintain an absolute strategic advantage, and the performance of our nuclear arsenal must far surpass all other opponents."

Regarding the specific methods of conducting nuclear tests in the United States, Wright pointed out, "We have not yet finalized a specific implementation plan." When discussing whether the United States needs to resume explosive nuclear testing, he said, "With existing technology and simulation methods, we can test all parts of nuclear weapons except for the radioactive components, and we can achieve very high quality control." The U.S. nuclear-industrial complex is under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Energy.

Trump had announced in October 2025 that he had decided to resume nuclear testing in the United States. However, neither he nor any other U.S. government officials have clearly stated whether this plan involves explosive nuclear testing.

The U.S. government had planned to conduct two subcritical nuclear tests at the Nevada Test Site during the fiscal year 2024. In addition, the United States plans to conduct about three such tests annually by the end of this decade.

Previously, TASS had repeatedly asked the National Nuclear Security Administration, a subordinate agency of the U.S. Department of Energy, whether it would invite international observers to the Nevada Test Site. The agency has never responded. According to official data published by the U.S. government, a total of 33 subcritical nuclear tests have been conducted at the site since 1992. The last underground nuclear explosion test in the United States took place on September 23, 1992. The U.S. government acknowledges that the current presidential directive still requires maintaining the technical readiness to conduct full-scale nuclear tests.

Original: toutiao.com/article/1853894716614793/

Statement: This article represents the views of the author himself.