The US has planned a test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) today Wednesday, the US Pentagon said, noting that Washington had informed Moscow.
The US Pentagon does not usually announce in advance the date of an ICBM test launch, and military analysts point out that the move is intended to avoid escalating tensions with Russia amid the war in Ukraine.
A Pentagon spokesman spoke of a "routine test", which aims to demonstrate the level of readiness of the particular weapon system.
The last test of the Minuteman III (on August 16), an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead, had been postponed twice. It was originally scheduled for March, but was postponed due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine to avoid an escalation in Washington-Moscow relations. It was adjourned for a second time in early August while Chinese military trainings were underway around Taiwan, after US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taipei drew sharp criticism from Beijing.
The US nuclear arsenal includes Minuteman III missiles (launched from the ground), Trident missiles (launched from submarines) and bombs carried by strategic bombers.
Source: ΑΠΕ - ΜΠΕ, Reuters, AFP