US ready to resume nuclear tests

The U.S. State Department stated that Washington intends to resume nuclear tests on an 'equal basis' with Russia and China, but will exclude megaton-class explosions in the atmosphere. According to the agency, the new direction involves tests that will not exceed 1 megaton and will focus on improving UN technologies and early warning systems. The agency emphasized that the initiative falls within the framework of international treaties and does not violate existing restrictions.

Context

The 1974 Treaty banning nuclear tests in the atmosphere prohibits any explosions of such magnitude, and since then countries have been revising their approaches to nuclear security.