Trump Alleges Pakistan Conducting Nuclear Tests, Says U.S. Must Resume Its Own Program

Washington, November 3 — U.S. President Donald Trump has alleged that Pakistan is among several nations carrying out nuclear tests, alongside Russia, China, and North Korea. He said this growing global activity has compelled the United States to restart its own nuclear testing program after more than thirty years.

During an interview with CBS News’s 60 Minutes on Sunday, Trump claimed that while other nations conduct nuclear trials in secrecy, the U.S. operates openly and transparently. “Russia and China are testing, but they don’t talk about it. We’re an open society, so we have to talk about it,” he said. “We’re going to test because others are testing — North Korea’s been testing, and Pakistan’s been testing too.”

His remarks came in response to questions about his decision to authorize fresh nuclear detonations, following reports of Russia testing new advanced nuclear-capable systems, including the Poseidon underwater drone.

“You need to see how these systems work,” Trump explained. “Russia announced a test, North Korea keeps testing, and several others are doing the same. The United States is the only country that hasn’t tested in decades — and I don’t want to be the only one that doesn’t.”

The U.S. President reiterated that America holds the world’s largest nuclear arsenal, adding that he has discussed nuclear disarmament with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping. “We have enough nuclear weapons to destroy the planet multiple times,” Trump said.

Last Thursday, Trump formally declared that the U.S. would immediately resume nuclear testing, calling it a justified move given other nations’ activities. “Everyone seems to be testing,” he told reporters before boarding Air Force One. “We have more nuclear weapons than anyone, but we’re not testing. I think it’s appropriate that we start again.”

He confirmed that preparations for the tests were already underway, though he declined to specify when or where they would occur.

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed legislation ending a dormant 2000 agreement with the United States that required both nations to dispose of 34 tonnes of weapons-grade plutonium. The deal, originally intended to curb nuclear arms production, is now formally terminated, signaling rising tensions between the two powers.