BREAKING NEWS

Trump reportedly sought dramatic increase in US nuclear arsenal

By REUTERS

OCTOBER 11, 2017 17:05

US President Donald Trump wanted to dramatically increase the country's nuclear arsenal, he said in a meeting with his national security advisers in July, NBC News reported on Wednesday, citing three officials who were present in the room.

Trump's reported comments come as tensions remained high with North Korea and as Trump is expected to make an announcement on whether to decertify the international deal surrounding Iran's nuclear program.

The president spoke on July after he was shown a chart indicating the stockpile of US nuclear weapons had slid from a high of 32,000 in the 1960s. Trump said he wanted to have that same number now, NBC reported.

The United States currently has about 4,000 nuclear warheads earmarked for use in its military stockpile, according to the Federation of American Scientists.

In a post on Twitter on Wednesday, the president said, "Fake @NBCNews made up a story that I wanted a 'tenfold' increase in our US nuclear arsenal. Pure fiction, made up to demean. NBC = CNN!"

Trump said in an interview with Reuters in February that he wanted to ensure that the US nuclear arsenal was at the “top of the pack.”

IDF tracks suspicious aerial targets as drone alerts ring in North

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF

11/14/2024 06:58 PM

US targets Syrian company with sanctions over IRGC, Houthi funding

By REUTERS

11/14/2024 06:46 PM

Sirens sound in Haifa, surrounding area as five rockets cross into Israe

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF

11/14/2024 04:23 PM

Judge says Brasilia 'suicide' bomber wanted to blow up Supreme Court

By REUTERS