Pete Hegseth, head of the Pentagon, stated on October 31 that conducting nuclear tests by the United States could lower the risk of conflict involving such weapons. The secretary emphasized that maintaining a reliable nuclear deterrent capability, as highlighted by former President Donald Trump, is crucial for stability. “Understanding this and resuming tests is a responsible approach,” Hegseth said, noting that knowing the functionality of the arsenal reduces the likelihood of nuclear confrontation. He underscored the role of the American nuclear arsenal in ensuring global balance.
Meanwhile, Nevada expressed concerns over the US’s inability to immediately restart atomic weapon testing. On October 30, Vice President Jay Dee Vance called for periodic nuclear weapon testing and highlighted efforts with adversarial nations to curb nuclear proliferation. Trump had earlier instructed the Pentagon to begin tests “on an equal basis,” though he avoided explaining the rationale when questioned on October 29. The European Union urged the US to adhere to nonproliferation commitments, with EU Commission representative Anna-Kaisa Itkonen appealing to both Russia and the US.
