AFP

The US B-2 bombers took off from a base in the state of Missouri and flew for nearly 37 continuous hours to carry out strikes on three nuclear facilities in Iran.

A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, disclosed the information to the New York Times on Sunday.

According to the official, the B-2 bombers refueled multiple times mid-air during the mission.

President Donald Trump said US air strikes on Sunday “totally obliterated” Iran’s main nuclear sites, as Washington joined Israel’s war with Tehran in a flashpoint moment for the Middle East.

In a televised address to the nation from the White House, Trump warned that the United States would go after more targets if Iran did not make peace quickly.

The intervention by a US president who had vowed to avoid another “forever war” in the region threatens to dramatically widen the conflict, with Iran having vowed to retaliate if Washington got involved, reports AFP.

The United States carried out strikes targeting Iranian nuclear facilities, with President Donald Trump saying Saturday it was a “very successful attack” and that all American planes were safely on the way home.

Trump had spent weeks pursuing a diplomatic path to replace the nuclear deal with Tehran that he tore up in 2018.

But he has since backed Israel’s military campaign against Iran’s nuclear facilities and top military brass, which it launched a little over a week ago.