The Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile will take flight from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

The Minuteman III missile test launch comes after Russia tested its nuclear-powered torpedo and cruise missile, and China showcased its newest ICBMs. It remains to be seen whether the U.S. will carry out additional tests to signal its nuclear capabilities.

The U.S. voluntarily halted nuclear explosive testing in 1992, though it has the ability to restart tests at a site in Nevada.

Pakistan has rejected Donald Trump’s claim that it is among a handful of nations actively testing nuclear weapons. A senior Pakistani security official told CBS News his country was “not the first to carry out nuclear tests and will not be the first to resume nuclear tests".

Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the testing ordered up in a surprise announcement by President Trump last week would focus on “the other parts” of nuclear weaponry.

North Korea's Kim Jong Un could conduct a nuclear test at the country's Punggye-ri nuclear test facility in a short time if he decided to, the Yonhap News Agency reported on Wednesday, citing South Korea's Defense Intelligence Agency.

Experts say reviving the long-dormant testing program could take at least a year and would cost astronomical amounts for each test

John Harvey's documentary reframes Pacific nuclear testing through First Nations lens, challenging colonial narratives with archives and testimony.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday ordered his top officials to draft proposals on possible nuclear weapons testing after U.S. President Donald Trump said last week that the U.S. would resume such tests.