The United States Air Force Global Strike Command conducted a successful test of the Minuteman III, widely known as the “doomsday missile,” during a period of rising tensions between the United States and Iran.

According to international media reports, the test involved an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). The missile is capable of striking targets thousands of kilometres away and forms a key part of the US nuclear deterrence system.

The missiles were launched on March 3 from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Officials confirmed that two test launches were conducted as part of routine evaluations.

Military authorities stressed that the launches were not linked to the current global situation. Instead, they said the tests had been scheduled years in advance as part of a long-running data-driven programme aimed at ensuring the reliability and effectiveness of the missile system.

During the test, the missiles travelled thousands of miles before reaching their designated targets at Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands. The long-range flight allowed engineers and weapons experts to collect valuable data about the missile’s accuracy and operational performance.

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Officials from the 377th Test and Evaluation Group said the information gathered helps verify the performance of every component of the weapon system and supports future development of US strategic forces.

The Minuteman III has a range of about 13,000 kilometres and is the only land-based ballistic missile in the US arsenal capable of carrying nuclear warheads. It can technically carry up to three independently targeted warheads, although current agreements limit each missile to one.

The missile is often called the “doomsday missile” because, if launched in a nuclear conflict, it could spread devastating radiation and cause catastrophic destruction across large areas.