(MENAFN) President Donald Trump has directed the Department of Defense to reinitiate nuclear weapons testing, pointing to strategic rivalries with Russia and China as the driving force behind the decision.

The directive came as Trump prepared for Thursday's diplomatic engagement with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Busan, South Korea.

Taking to his Truth Social platform, Trump defended the move: "The United States has more Nuclear Weapons than any other country. This was accomplished, including a complete update and renovation of existing weapons, during my First Term in office. Because of the tremendous destructive power, I HATED to do it, but had no choice!"

He continued: "Russia is second, and China is a distant third, but will be even within 5 years. Because of other countries testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis. That process will begin immediately."

Washington ceased nuclear testing in 1992 following a congressional ban that remains in effect. During Trump's initial presidency, senior officials reportedly explored overturning this prohibition after American intelligence suggested China and Russia were covertly executing low-yield underground nuclear experiments—allegations both Beijing and Moscow rejected.

Recent data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) indicates America maintains 5,177 nuclear warheads, while Russia possesses 5,459. China's arsenal is forecast to expand to 1,500 warheads by 2035.

In February, the U.S. conducted a test launch of an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile with nuclear capabilities. Four Trident II missiles were subsequently fired from a submarine this September.

Earlier this month, Russia successfully tested its Burevestnik cruise missile—a nuclear-capable weapon equipped with a compact nuclear reactor enabling essentially limitless operational range.

MENAFN30102025000045017169ID1110268910