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US-China missile launch postponed Postponed due to US-China tensions

ICBM test launched in the Pacific

minuteman iii ICBM launch
Disarmed Air Force Global Strike Command launched during an operational test at 12:53 PT (Wednesday, August 11, 2021) at Space Force Station Vandenberg, California. Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missile.  Vandenberg Space Force Station via Twitter

The Pentagon conducted an intercontinental ballistic missile launch. Within two weeks, it launched an intercontinental ballistic missile. More than China House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan

The Air Force launched an unarmed Minuteman III ICBM on Tuesday at Vandenberg Space, California. It said it was launched from a military base by a re-entry aircraft. The re-entry vehicle traveled approximately 4,200 miles to Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands.

The planned experiment was postponed to days after Pelosi's visit to Taiwan. China responded to her visit by announcing live-fire exercises in the waters around Island. 

"We do not believe it is in our interest, Taiwan's interest, or the region's interest to further escalate tensions. Therefore, we have decided not to escalate the Minuteman III intercontinental scheduled for this week. Ballistic missile testing has been postponed, for the foreseeable future," said John Kirby, National Security Council Strategic Communications Coordinator, when announcing the postponement decision. 

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The Pentagon took a similar step in March, postponing ICBM tests to avert nuclear tensions with Russia after it invaded Ukraine. , then canceled. Test a few weeks later for the same reason. 

The Air Force said Tuesday's test was routine and not a result of current world events. The test launch demonstrates how our ICBM fleet demonstrates the readiness and reliability of our weapon systems," said Capt. Chris Crews, commander of the 576th Flight Test Squadron, in a statement. 

Eleanor Watson

CBS News reporter cover pentagon.

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