CSIS is reporting in its Nuclear Policy News briefing that the United States conducted a nuclear blast detection test aimed at catching rivals' "decoupled" detonations. It said the National Nuclear Security Administration tested an underground "decoupled" explosion to refine sensors and algorithms for detecting concealed nuclear tests, according to Interesting Engineering.
In Europe, the Kyiv Post reported that Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev said he takes Russia's nuclear threats seriously and urged European leaders to pursue a more diplomatic approach toward Moscow to avoid what he described as a potential worst-case scenario. Reuters reported that NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said there is no imminent threat to NATO territory from Russia, adding that the alliance reacted to recent Russian threats with "a bit of calm" and reiterated that it is a defensive alliance. The Baltic News Network reported that Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs said there are no legal obstacles to deploying nuclear weapons in Latvia if NATO collectively decides it is necessary.
In the Middle East, The Economic Times reported that Iran's foreign minister suggested in private talks that his country was willing to restore nuclear inspectors' access to bombed facilities in exchange for sanctions relief, a concession people familiar with the discussions said could help break deadlocked peace talks with the United States.
In Asia, the Financial Times reported that President Donald Trump said South Korea will invest $200 billion in U.S. energy projects, with pledges to launch initiatives in states including Alaska and Texas as midterm elections loom. The National Interest published analysis stating that South Korea's nuclear industry offers Washington a model for competing with China, even as Beijing's backing of North Korea raises the stakes on the Korean Peninsula.