WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – In a recent development, Energy Secretary Chris Wright clarified that the new tests of the U.S. nuclear weapons system, as ordered by President Donald Trump, will not involve nuclear detonations. This statement came on Sunday, shedding light on the president’s earlier remarks.

President Trump’s comments last week on social media had stirred speculation after he announced that he had “instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis.” This pronouncement left many wondering whether the U.S. was about to resume nuclear explosions as part of its testing program.

In an interview on Fox News’ “Sunday Briefing,” Wright provided essential details, stating, “I think the tests we’re talking about right now are system tests. These are not nuclear explosions. These are what we call noncritical explosions.” His words offer reassurance that the tests will focus on verifying the overall functionality of the weapons without the need for actual nuclear detonations.

He further explained that these tests will examine “all the other parts of a nuclear weapon to make sure they deliver the appropriate geometry and they set up the nuclear explosion.” This emphasis is on ensuring the readiness and reliability of the nuclear arsenal without actual explosions.

Confusion arose initially from Trump’s timing, as he made his announcement on his Truth Social platform shortly before a significant diplomatic engagement with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea. His words hinted at the possibility of overturning a longstanding U.S. ban on nuclear weapon testing, but Wright’s clarification now dispels such concerns.

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 U.S. 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 U.S. 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 U.S. 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 U.S. resumes testing its weapons, Russia will as well — an intensification that would restart Cold War-era tensions.