US tests 'Doomsday' minuteman III missile capable of carrying nuclear warheads far more powerful than Hiroshima bomb

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Amid the ongoing fierce conflict between the United States and Iran, the United States has demonstrated its nuclear capabilities by testing the Minuteman-III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). This test, conducted on the sixth day of the war, is being considered a strong message to Iran. This missile is believed to be capable of carrying a warhead many times more powerful than the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima.

According to media reports, the US Air Force Global Strike Command successfully test-fired a Minuteman III missile from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on Tuesday night. According to the US Space Force, the missile was fitted with two test re-entry vehicles. Officials said the test was part of a long-running, routine evaluation program that tests the US's nuclear deterrent capabilities.

The extremely fast and long-range Minuteman-III missile is a vital component of America's strategic defense system. Its range is estimated to be approximately 6,000 miles and it can fly at speeds exceeding 15,000 miles per hour. This high speed allows it to reach another continent within minutes. According to US officials, more than 300 such missiles have been tested over the past several decades.

The conflict between the US and Iran continues for the sixth consecutive day. After an Iranian warship was sunk by a US submarine, Iran retaliated by firing several missiles towards Israel. Iran has also warned of targeting military and economic infrastructure in the region. Meanwhile, the US and Israel have also intensified attacks on Iranian security bases and administrative institutions.

The scope of the war is constantly expanding

The intensity of the attacks was so great that Iran's state TV had to announce the postponement of the planned mourning ceremony for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The US and Israel had earlier started this conflict by targeting Iran's military leadership, missile stockpile and nuclear program. Analysts believe that due to the changing circumstances, this war could last for a long time.

The proposal to stop the war was also rejected

US President Donald Trump has praised the performance of the US army on the war front. Meanwhile, Republican MPs in the US Senate rejected the proposal to stop the war, showing their stance in favor of continuing military action against Iran. Meanwhile, Iran has attacked Bahrain, Kuwait and Israel, while Turkey claimed that NATO's defense system intercepted an Iranian ballistic missile before it entered its airspace.

Thousands affected, oil market in turmoil

According to officials, the conflict has killed more than 1,000 people in Iran, more than 70 in Lebanon, and about 12 in Israel. The war has also affected global oil and gas supplies. The disruption of shipping through Oman and the Strait of Hormuz has led to a sharp rise in crude oil prices, and this is also affecting stock markets around the world.