Energy Secretary Clarifies No Nuclear Explosions 'For Now'

US Energy Secretary clarified that the US currently has no plans for nuclear explosions, despite confusion over President Trump's order for nuclear weapons testing. The tests referred to are system tests, or "subcritical experiments," which do not involve nuclear detonations. These tests evaluate the non-nuclear components of weapons to ensure they function correctly for a potential explosion. Trump's initial order was unclear, leading to speculation about restarting bomb detonations, which the US hasn't done since 1992. All nuclear-armed countries, except North Korea, have maintained a moratorium on detonating nuclear bombs since the 1990s. Russia warned of a response if the US broke this moratorium. Trump may have been referring to Russia's recent tests of nuclear-capable missiles and drones. The US Air Force tested an unarmed Minuteman III missile in May. Restarting actual nuclear detonations would take around 36 months according to arms control experts. Any detonations would have to be underground, as the US adheres to the 1963 Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.