US B-2 Bombers Flew 37 Hours Non-Stop, Refuelled Mid-Air To Strike Iran's Nuclear Sites: Report

Last Updated:June 22, 2025, 11:09 IST

The US military used six B-2 bombers and dropped a dozen GBU-57 "bunker-busting bombs" and 30 Tomahawk cruise missiles at Iran's three nuclear facilities.

US B-2 bombers struck three nuclear sites in Iran. (Reuters)

The United States used six B-2 bombers and dropped a dozen GBU-57 “bunker-busting bombs" and 30 Tomahawk cruise missiles at Iran’s three nuclear facilities in Fordow, Isfahan and Natanz on Sunday.

The B-2 bombers that struck the nuclear sites flew non-stop for about 37 hours from their base in Missouri and refuelled several times mid-air, a US official told the New York Times on the condition of anonymity.

The Fordow nuclear site, which is an underground facility buried deep in the mountains, was deemed unreachable by Israeli weapons and only the “bunker-buster" bombs could strike it effectively. These 13,600 kg bombs could only be carried by the B-2 bombers.

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In April, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked the US to use its bunker-buster bombs to destroy the underground nuclear site at Fordow. Saturday’s strikes marked the first time that the US Air Force had used the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator in combat.

The B-2 is one of America’s most advanced strategic weapons platforms, capable of entering sophisticated air defences and delivering precision strikes against hardened targets such as Iran’s buried network of nuclear research facilities.

On Saturday, the B-2 bombers were deployed to the Pacific island of Guam, suggesting a possible strike on Iran’s nuke sites. One B-2 also dropped two bunker busters on Natanz on Sunday, according to a US official.

Some reports indicated that the Fordow nuclear site was “completely destroyed", citing initial assessments. However, Iran’s Atomic Energy Commission said there was no radioactive contamination and that residents were safe.

An Israeli intelligence official told CNN that it was too early for a reliable battle damage assessment of the US strikes on Iran. Israeli leaders showered Trump with praises for his “bold decision" to attack Iran.

Trump’s decision to join Israel marked a major escalation in the conflict after Israeli forces targeted Iranian nuclear sites and military assets in an unprecedented assault since last week. More than 400 people were killed in the Israeli offensive.

Aveek Banerjee

Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international...Read More

Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international...

Read More

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Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

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News world US B-2 Bombers Flew 37 Hours Non-Stop, Refuelled Mid-Air To Strike Iran's Nuclear Sites: Report