US President Donald Trump's surprise directive to resume nuclear weapons testing has sparked widespread global condemnation, raising fears of renewed superpower tensions. The announcement, made on social media, came just before a summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

• The United States last conducted a nuclear test explosion in September 1992.
• Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth defended the directive as a “responsible” move to maintain a "credible nuclear deterrent."
• Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called the directive "regressive and irresponsible" and a threat to international security.
• Nihon Hidankyo, a Japanese atomic bomb survivors group, sent a letter of protest, stating the directive "directly contradicts the efforts... for a peaceful world without nuclear weapons."
• China's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Guo Jiakun urged the United States to "earnestly abide" by a global nuclear testing ban.
• UN Chief Antonio Guterres stated, "nuclear testing can never be permitted under any circumstances."
• Vice President JD Vance suggested the nuclear arsenal needs testing to ensure it "functions properly."
• Trump claimed the United States has more nuclear weapons than any other country, though the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) reports Russia has 5,459 warheads compared to the US's 5,177.
• The announcement followed Russia's declaration of testing nuclear-capable cruise missiles.