After President Donald Trump ordered the Pentagon to resume nuclear weapons testing to match Russia and China, Iran’s foreign minister lashed out, accusing Washington of “warmongering hypocrisy” — even as Tehran’s own uranium enrichment raises global alarm.
A fierce war of words erupted Thursday after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned U.S. President Donald Trump’s directive to resume nuclear weapons testing, calling the move “regressive” and “irresponsible.”
Araghchi’s outburst came hours after Trump announced via Truth Social that he had instructed the Pentagon to restart nuclear testing “on an equal basis” with Russia and China, arguing that both adversaries were rapidly expanding their arsenals.
“Having rebranded its ‘Department of Defense’ as the ‘Department of War,’ a nuclear-armed bully is resuming testing of atomic weapons,” Araghchi posted on X, accusing the U.S. of hypocrisy for criticizing Iran’s so-called “peaceful” nuclear program while allegedly violating international norms.
But Western analysts swiftly pushed back, noting that Trump’s move was a strategic response to Russia and China—not Iran.
Earlier this week, Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed the testing of the Poseidon nuclear-powered torpedo and the Burevestnik cruise missile, both capable of carrying nuclear payloads. Meanwhile, China showcased its growing arsenal, including new Dongfeng-5 intercontinental missiles, during a high-profile military parade.
While none of these nations have carried out full-scale nuclear detonations since the 1990s, the buildup has fueled fears of a renewed global arms race. Trump’s directive, delivered before a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea, was intended as a show of deterrence amid escalating competition between superpowers.
Nuclear expert Ankit Panda of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace told Al Jazeera that the announcement likely refers to non-explosive missile tests, not full nuclear detonations:
“The U.S. already tests nuclear-capable missiles regularly. This is signaling, not saber-rattling,” Panda said.
However, Tehran used the announcement to revive its long-standing narrative of victimhood. Iran continues to insist that its nuclear ambitions are “purely civilian”, despite years of evidence from the IAEA showing enrichment well beyond civilian thresholds.
In reality, Iran remains the world’s foremost state sponsor of terrorism and has repeatedly threatened Israel, the United States, and its Arab neighbors while advancing uranium enrichment levels close to weapons-grade.
Trump, who has consistently demanded the “total dismantlement” of Iran’s nuclear program, reiterated earlier this year that he would not allow Tehran to obtain a nuclear weapon, emphasizing that “Iran’s regime must never hold the power to blackmail the free world.”
In June, the U.S. and Israel jointly conducted airstrikes targeting Iranian military and nuclear installations, reportedly delaying Tehran’s progress toward weapons capability.
While Iran portrays itself as a victim of Western aggression, global experts remain skeptical. “Iran has never conducted a nuclear test—but its enrichment activities and proxy wars speak louder than its propaganda,” Panda added.
The renewed tensions highlight a familiar divide: the free world’s push to maintain deterrence and stability versus the cynical posturing of authoritarian regimes that continue to manipulate global fears while undermining international law.
