Pakistan has firmly denied claims made by U.S. President Donald Trump that it has resumed nuclear testing. A senior Pakistani security official told CBS News that the country “will not be the first to resume nuclear tests,” reiterating its longstanding policy of restraint.
The statement came after Trump alleged during an interview with 60 Minutes that Russia, China, and Pakistan had conducted nuclear weapons tests, prompting his own announcement to expand U.S. nuclear testing.
Islamabad Reaffirms Moratorium on Nuclear Explosions
“Pakistan was not the first to carry out nuclear tests and will not be the first to resume them,” the official emphasized, referring to the country’s last known nuclear tests in 1998.
Since then, Pakistan has maintained a unilateral moratorium on nuclear testing despite not signing the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). Its Foreign Ministry states that the country “supports the objectives and purposes of the Treaty” and has pledged not to be the first in South Asia to resume testing.
China, Russia Also Deny Trump’s Claims
China was the first among the countries named by Trump to refute the allegation.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning reaffirmed Beijing’s “self-defense nuclear strategy” and commitment to maintaining global stability.
“China has always abided by its commitment to suspend nuclear testing,” Mao said, urging the U.S. to “take concrete actions to safeguard international nuclear disarmament.”
Russia has yet to issue an official response, though analysts note that Moscow has only intensified missile system tests — not nuclear detonations.
What Trump Meant by ‘U.S. Resuming Nuclear Tests’
President Trump has not clarified whether his administration plans to restart actual nuclear detonations — banned for over 30 years — or merely non-critical system tests that simulate nuclear conditions.
U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright told Fox News that current plans involve “system tests” rather than live nuclear explosions. “These are not nuclear blasts but checks on weapon readiness and delivery systems,” he said.
