Pentagon officials said the US commander who ordered the use of the bomb did not need President Donald Trump's approval.
NATO commander in Afghanistan, US General John W Nicholson, has had standing authority since before Mr Trump took office to use the largest non-nuclear bomb ever dropped in combat.
General Nicholson said he was in constant communication with officials in Washington, but the decision to use the 9,797-kilogram GBU-43 bomb was based on his assessment of military needs and not broader political considerations.
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