US tests 'doomsday' missile as war in Iran rages
What's the story
The United States conducted a test launch of its nuclear-capable Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on Tuesday night. The unarmed missile, named GT 254, was launched at 11:00pm and successfully hit its target near the Marshall Islands in the Pacific Ocean. The missile was fired to "verify the effectiveness, readiness and accuracy," the Air Force Global Strike Command said.
Test rationale
Test launch routine exercise
The Air Force Global Strike Command confirmed that the test launch was a routine exercise and that it was scheduled years in advance. The Minuteman III missile can carry warheads up to 20 times more powerful than those dropped on Hiroshima during World War II. It has a range of about 9,656 km and can travel at speeds over 24,150 km/h.
Strategic importance
Minuteman III missile key component of US nuclear triad
The Minuteman III missile is a key component of the United States's nuclear triad, which includes land, sea, and air-based capabilities to launch nuclear weapons. The missiles are kept in silos across the western United States as a deterrent against potential nuclear attacks. In November, a Minuteman III missile was launched after President Donald Trump called for the restarting of nuclear weapons tests.
Recent developments
Test follows US attack that killed Iran's Khamenei
The missile test comes days after the United States and Israel launched an attack on Iran, killing its supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and a dozen other high-ranking Iranian officials. In response, Iran launched missile attacks across the Middle East and suspended all shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. Over 1,000 civilians have been killed in the first five days of US-Israeli bombings of Iran, including 181 children, the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) said.