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Trump orders US to test nuclear weapons, cites Russia, China, N Korea, Pakistan are at it

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright says tests won’t include explosions

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New tests of the US nuclear weapons system ordered up by US President Donald Trump will not include nuclear explosions, Energy Secretary Chris Wright has said.

It was the first clarity from the Trump administration since the president took to social media last week to say he had “instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis”. Trump had said Russia, China, North Korea and Pakistan were still continuing to test nuclear weapons and saw no reason why the US should stick to following the no-nuclear test moratorium.

“I think the tests we’re talking about right now are system tests,” Wright said in an interview on Fox News’ “Sunday Briefing”. “These are not nuclear explosions. These are what we call noncritical explosions.”

Wright, whose agency is responsible for testing, added that the planned testing involves “all the other parts of a nuclear weapon to make sure they deliver the appropriate geometry and they set up the nuclear explosion.”

The confusion over Trump’s intention started minutes before he held a critical meeting in South Korea with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Trump took to his Truth Social platform and appeared to suggest he was preparing to discard a decades-old US prohibition on testing the nation’s nuclear weapons.

Later that day, as he made his way back to Washington, Trump was coy on whether he really meant to say he was ordering the resumption of explosive testing of nuclear weapons — something only North Korea has undertaken this century — or calling for the testing of US systems that could deliver a nuclear weapon, which is far more routine.

He remained opaque on Friday when asked by reporters about whether he intended to resume underground nuclear detonation tests.

“You’ll find out very soon,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Friday, as he headed to Florida for a weekend stay.

The US military regularly tests its missiles that are capable of delivering a nuclear warhead, but it has not detonated the weapons since 1992.

The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, which the US signed but did not ratify, has been observed since its adoption by all countries possessing nuclear weapons, North Korea being the only exception.

Trump announced his plans for nuclear tests after Russia announced it had tested a new atomic-powered and nuclear-capable underwater drone and a new nuclear-powered cruise missile.

Russia responded to Trump’s nuclear testing comments by underscoring that it did not test its nuclear weapons and has abided by a global ban on nuclear testing.

The Kremlin warned though, that if the US resumes testing its weapons, Russia will as well — an intensification that would restart Cold War-era tensions.

—AP/PTI

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Trump may join Iran-US peace talks in Pakistan, attendance uncertain

Donald Trump could join Iran-US peace talks in Pakistan either in person or virtually, as discussions move forward amid uncertainty over participation.

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Donald Trump statement

Peace talks between the United States and Iran are being considered in Islamabad, with uncertainty over participation and format

Peace talks between the United States and Iran are being considered in Islamabad, according to media reports, with the possibility that former US President Donald Trump may participate either in person or virtually. However, no final decision on the venue, format or participation has been confirmed.

According to reports citing a Pakistani source, preparations for the talks are moving ahead as scheduled, and both sides are expected to engage in discussions aimed at resolving ongoing tensions.

The proposed talks come at a critical time, as diplomatic efforts continue to stabilise relations amid heightened geopolitical strain. Pakistan is expected to host or facilitate the discussions, hosting the discussions and coordinating with both Washington and Tehran to facilitate dialogue.

Officials familiar with the development indicated that Trump’s participation remains uncertain, with reports indicating he may attend either in person or virtually. His presence—either physically in Islamabad or through virtual means—would signal the importance of the outcome and potentially influence the direction of the talks.

Despite the progress in planning, uncertainty remains over the final composition of delegations and the level of participation from each side. Separate reports suggest that while preparations are underway, clarity over Iran’s attendance and broader engagement is still evolving.

The talks are expected to focus on easing tensions and exploring pathways toward a broader agreement, though key sticking points between the two sides remain unresolved.

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Trump warns of escalation as Iran signals counter-strategy amid Hormuz blockade tensions

As the US-Iran ceasefire nears its end, tensions escalate over the Hormuz blockade with strong warnings from both sides.

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Donald Trump statement

Ceasefire between US and Iran nears deadline as both sides trade sharp warnings over blockade and military response

Tensions between the United States and Iran have intensified as a fragile ceasefire approaches its deadline, with both sides issuing strong warnings amid ongoing disputes over the Strait of Hormuz.

US President Donald Trump has cautioned that severe military action could follow if negotiations fail, signalling that “bombs will go off” in the absence of a deal. His remarks come as Washington continues a naval blockade targeting Iranian oil exports and maritime movement, a move Tehran has strongly opposed.

Iran, on the other hand, has indicated it is prepared with what it described as “new cards,” suggesting a potential shift in its strategy if the situation escalates further. The standoff reflects deep mistrust between the two sides, even as diplomatic efforts continue in the background.

The current crisis is centred around the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil transit route. The United States imposed the blockade after talks failed to produce a breakthrough, aiming to restrict Iran’s oil shipments and increase economic pressure.

Tehran has accused Washington of violating the ceasefire by maintaining the blockade and taking aggressive actions, including the seizure of vessels near the strategic waterway. These developments have further complicated efforts to sustain peace.

A temporary ceasefire, agreed earlier this month, had paused hostilities for two weeks following threats of major escalation. However, with the truce nearing its end, uncertainty looms over whether it will be extended or collapse into renewed conflict.

The situation has also raised concerns globally, as disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz can significantly impact oil supply and international markets. Analysts warn that prolonged tensions could lead to economic instability and further geopolitical strain.

Diplomatic channels remain open, but the sharp rhetoric from both Washington and Tehran indicates that the path to a lasting agreement remains uncertain.

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Japan earthquake triggers tsunami warning after strong 7.4 magnitude tremor off northern coast

A powerful earthquake off northern Japan triggered tsunami warnings and evacuation alerts as authorities monitored waves and aftershocks.

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A powerful earthquake of magnitude 7.4 struck off the northern coast of Japan on Monday evening, prompting authorities to issue a tsunami warning and urge residents in coastal areas to move to safer locations.

According to officials, the earthquake occurred in the Pacific Ocean near the northeastern region of the country at around 4:53 pm local time. The tremors were strong enough to be felt across a wide area, including parts of Tokyo.

Following the quake, Japan’s meteorological agency issued a tsunami warning for several coastal regions, cautioning that waves of up to 3 metres could hit affected areas.

Initial tsunami waves were recorded shortly after the earthquake, with water levels reaching around 70 to 80 centimetres at some ports in northern Japan. Authorities warned that subsequent waves could be larger and more dangerous.

Emergency alerts were broadcast across the region, urging residents to evacuate coastal zones and move to higher ground. Visuals showed ships leaving ports and emergency messages being displayed on television screens.

As a precautionary measure, bullet train services in parts of northern Japan were temporarily halted, while authorities began assessing the situation and monitoring for aftershocks.

There were no immediate reports of major damage or casualties, but officials said the situation remained under close observation, with warnings still in place for coastal communities.

Japan, located along the seismically active “Ring of Fire,” frequently experiences earthquakes, making rapid response systems and tsunami alerts critical for public safety.

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