DEFCON Warning System – Update 5/1/20

This is the DEFCON Warning System. Alert status for 2 P.M., Friday, May 1st, 2020. Condition code is Green. DEFCON 5.

Iran says that nuclear activities are continuing despite the novel coronavirus outbreak. It continues to say that its nuclear activities were solely for peaceful purposes. In continued military advancement, Iran has successfully launched its first military satellite.

The United States has instructed its military to “shoot down and destroy any and all Iranian gunboats if they harass our ships at sea.” In response, Iran has said that it will target U.S. forces if the U.S. “endangers” Iranian warships.

Russia says it is willing to talk with the United States about hypersonic missiles and other arms control issues. The United States, however, continues to require China to be part of any future negotiation. China has continually refused arms control talks. Russia has also tested a direct-ascent anti-satellite missile, continuing to develop weapons for space and demonstrating a vulnerability due to the U.S. over-reliance on space assets.

The United States has expressed concern that China may be testing low-yield nuclear weapons, in violation of the international accord banning all nuclear tests. The U.S. cites a high tempo of activity at China’s Lop Nur test site, extensive excavations at the site, and Beijing’s purported use of special chambers to contain explosions. There are some who believe that Russia is also testing low-yield weapons.

According to the U.S. Air Force Strike Command, the United States will no longer have a continuous bomber presense in Guam, instead rotating it forces in an effort to be more unpredictable to a potential enemy.

Saudi Arabia has nearly completed its first nuclear reactor.

South Korea has reduced its defense budget due to the Chinese Corona Virus. Meanwhile, the United Nations has reported that China is helping North Korea skirt sanctions.

At this time, there is no concrete information on the status of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. There is no reason to believe there will be any change of policy should leadership change.

The DEFCON Warning System is a private intelligence organization which has monitored and assessed nuclear threats by national entities since 1984. It is not affiliated with any government agency and does not represent the alert status of any military branch. The public should make their own evaluations and not rely on the DEFCON Warning System for any strategic planning. At all times, citizens are urged to learn what steps to take in the event of a nuclear attack. If this had been an actual attack, the DEFCON Warning System will give radiation readings for areas that are reported to it. Your readings will vary. Official news sources will have radiation readings for your area.

For immediate updates, go to www.defconwarningsystem.com. Breaking news and important information can be found on the DEFCON Warning System community forum and on the DEFCON Twitter feed DEFCONWSAlerts. You may also subscribe to the DEFCON Warning System mailing list. Note that Twitter updates may be subject to delays. The next scheduled update is 2 P.M. Pacific Time, June 1st, 2020. Additional updates will be made as the situation warrants, with more frequent updates at higher alert levels.

This concludes this broadcast of the DEFCON Warning System.