Chandigarh, March 2 -- The rice exporters from Punjab and Haryana are staring at payment delays and disruptions to shipments headed to Iran, Afghanistan and other Gulf countries following the US and Israeli military strikes on Iran.

Iran has retaliated with drones and small-scale missile strikes, hitting several cities in the Middle East, adding to the instability in the region.

On Sunday, the association of Indian rice exporters advised its members to avoid entering into new 'cost, insurance and freight' (CIF) commitments to Iran and Gulf destinations amid escalating tensions in West Asia, warning that the situation could disrupt shipments and sharply increase freight and insurance costs.

Under CIF agreements, sellers bear the costs, ...