February 18, 2026
Mysterious 2020 explosion in China had hallmarks of nuclear test, US official alleges
A US official says a seismic station in Kazakhstan collected evidence of an alleged China nuclear test at Lop Nur in June 2020.
TL;DR
- A senior U.S. official claims evidence of a Chinese nuclear bomb test conducted in June 2020.
- Seismic data from a station in Kazakhstan reportedly detected a magnitude 2.75 explosion at China's Lop Nur test grounds.
- U.S. officials stated the data is consistent with a nuclear explosive test and inconsistent with mining or earthquakes.
- China's embassy in Washington denied the allegations, calling the report political manipulation and accusing the U.S. of evading its own disarmament responsibilities.
- U.S. officials warned that Beijing may be preparing tests in the hundreds of tons range, indicating accelerating nuclear modernization.
- Accusations raise questions about verification, deterrence, and the sufficiency of the U.S. stockpile stewardship program in an era of renewed great-power nuclear competition.
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