White House preparing for high-level talks with Saudi leadership next week.
President Donald Trump has confirmed that the United States will resume nuclear weapons testing for the first time in more than three decades and is considering a major sale of F-35 stealth fighter jets to Saudi Arabia — a move that could reshape regional security dynamics and trigger geopolitical controversy.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said the U.S. would recommence nuclear testing “like other countries,” though he declined to specify whether the tests would involve actual warhead detonations.
The announcement follows the president’s surprise directive last month ordering an immediate restart of U.S. nuclear testing after a 33-year freeze. Trump revealed the decision in a Truth Social post published while flying to South Korea for a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Saudi Arabia Seeking ‘A Lot of Jets’
The president also confirmed that Saudi Arabia, led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), has expressed interest in buying a substantial number of F-35 fifth-generation fighter jets produced by Lockheed Martin.
“They want to buy a lot of jets,” Trump said. “I’m looking at that. They want to buy a lot of ‘35’ – but actually more than that, fighter jets.”
The potential sale is expected to be a key agenda item during MBS’s upcoming visit to the White House next week, where both nations may finalise fresh economic and defence agreements.
However, the plan has raised concerns within the Pentagon. A classified intelligence report cited by The New York Times warned that the sale could increase the risk of U.S. military technology reaching China, given Riyadh’s expanding ties with Beijing.
Trump Threatens Billion-Dollar Lawsuit Against BBC
In a separate development, Trump said he would file a lawsuit against the BBC next week over an episode of its investigative programme Panorama. The documentary, aired ahead of the 2024 U.S. presidential election, edited and spliced segments of Trump’s January 6, 2021, speech in a way he claims wrongly suggested he incited violence.
Though the BBC issued a personal apology and described the edits as an “error of judgement,” it rejected claims of defamation. Trump’s legal team has demanded a retraction, financial compensation, and an apology, threatening damages of up to $1 billion.
Global Reactions Expected
The decision to restart nuclear testing and the consideration of an advanced weapons sale to Riyadh are likely to draw reactions from U.S. allies, non-proliferation experts, and global watchdogs, who argue the moves could heighten nuclear tensions and accelerate an arms race in the Middle East.
Diplomats say the developments will be closely watched by China, Russia, Iran, and Israel, all of whom view the U.S.–Saudi defence partnership as a strategic indicator of Washington’s future footprint in the region.