A senior U.S. official is alleging that China conducted a nuclear explosive test at Lop Nur on June 22, 2020. According to Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Yeaw, seismic data from Kazakhstan detected a magnitude 2.75 explosion inconsistent with mining or earthquakes.
Officials claim the explosion bore hallmarks of a yield-producing nuclear device. China has denied the accusation, calling it political manipulation and reaffirming its voluntary moratorium on nuclear testing.
U.S. officials further allege China may be preparing tests in the “hundreds of tons” range, and accuse Beijing of using signal-dampening techniques to mask activity.
The stakes are high.
This comes as nuclear arms treaties expire and Washington debates whether its own decades-long moratorium on live testing still makes strategic sense.
Is this evidence of accelerating nuclear modernization or geopolitical posturing?
👉 If confirmed, should the U.S. restart nuclear testing? Or double down on arms control diplomacy?
Transparency notes
Published: Feb 18, 2026. Last updated: Feb 18, 2026.
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Sources
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