Middle East crisis live: US to block Iranian ports for ‘as long as it takes’ and is ready to restart combat if talks fail, Hegseth warns

Pentagon chief said that the US is reloading with more power than before' and Iran has choice of the easy way or the hard way'

• US and Iran in indirect talks to extend two-week ceasefire

Iran has stopped all petrochemical exports to prioritise domestic supply and prevent shortages of raw materials, Reuters reported.

The state-owned National Petrochemical Company ordered firms to suspend exports until further notice.