In his wide-ranging interview with CBS News’s 60 Minutes, Donald Trump asserted that Pakistan is “among several countries conducting nuclear tests,” arguing that this development underscores the need for the United States to resume its nuclear-testing program.
At the same time, the claim raises the question: Is Pakistan really alone in resuming tests? And which other states are in the race?
Pakistan’s nuclear status
Pakistan is a nuclear-armed state, estimated to have around 170 warheads in its arsenal as of 2025.
However, Pakistan’s last public, full-scale nuclear explosive tests were carried out in May 1998 (the Chagai-I and Chagai-II series).
There is no credible public record of Pakistan conducting new explosive nuclear tests more recently. Indeed, analysts maintain that since 1998, no country except North Korea has openly conducted such tests.
Thus, Trump’s phrasing – that Pakistan is “among several countries conducting nuclear tests” – appears not strictly accurate if interpreted as full-scale explosive tests.
It may instead refer to other forms of testing (sub-critical, delivery-system trials, etc.), but the ambiguity remains.
Other nuclear-armed states & testing history
Here’s a snapshot of key nucleararmed states and their testing or declared status:
- United States: Last full warhead test in 1992; announced resumption of testing under Trump in 2025.
- Russia: The Soviet/Russian test program officially ended in 1990; no public warhead tests since, although advanced weapons systems (e.g., nuclear-powered torpedoes) have been tested.
- China: Last public nuclear test in 1996; Beijing denies conducting tests since, reaffirming its moratorium commitment.
- North Korea: Conducted six nuclear tests between 2006 and 2017.
- India: Tested in 1974 and again in 1998; no known full tests since.
- Other nuclear-armed states (France, UK, etc.) ceased testing in the 1990s.
So, while many states have nuclear weapons, very few are confirmed to conduct new full-scale nuclear explosive tests today.
Why Trump’s claim matters — and where it falters
- Why it matters: If Pakistan (or any other state) is actively testing nuclear weapons, it would mark a major shift in arms-control norms and justify, in Tehran’s view, reinvigorating testing in the U.S. and elsewhere.
- Where it falters: The evidence does not clearly show Pakistan is currently conducting such tests. Much of the data suggests it paused explosive testing in 1998 and has not publicly resumed.
- Additional nuance: There is a difference between full explosive nuclear tests, sub-critical experiments, delivery-system trials, or “secret” underground tests.
- States may claim adherence to moratoria while conducting other kinds of nuclear-weapons-related testing.
- For example, the article from Reuters states: Since 1998, no country other than North Korea is confirmed to have conducted a full explosive nuclear test.”
This suggests that full warhead detonations are not now documented for Pakistan.
Implications
- If Pakistan is not conducting tests, then Trump’s assertion could be seen as overbroad or inaccurate, which may undermine the credibility of his rationale for U.S. testing.
- If the U.S. moves ahead with full-scale testing in response, it may erode global arms-control regimes, invite retaliation/competitive testing by others, and raise escalation risks.
- For South Asia specifically, Pakistan’s nuclear modernization (even without new tests) remains a serious concern: Pakistan is estimated to have roughly 170 warheads and is increasing its capabilities.
In short, when President Trump names Pakistan as “among several countries conducting nuclear tests,” it appears to stretch beyond what the publicly verifiable evidence supports.
Pakistan is certainly a nuclear-armed state with an expanding arsenal, but the last known full test was in 1998. Other major powers likewise have not publicly detonated warheads in decades.
So no — Pakistan is not alone in having nuclear weapons — but yes — if the claim refers to resumed explosive testing, the larger picture suggests few, if any, are doing so openly today.
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