New Delhi, Aug. 27 -- Indian rice exporters remain confident that shipments to Iran will continue despite the threat of tighter US sanctions, citing sustained demand for the staple and its importance to Iran's food security.

Rice accounted for nearly two-thirds of India's USD 1.25 billion exports to Iran in the financial year ended March, while Iran purchased about 7Percent of India's USD 11.5 billion global rice exports, according to government data.

Iran bought more than 1 million tonnes of rice from India during the last financial year, up 17Percent from a year earlier. Exporters said demand has continued despite higher prices and trade disruptions caused by the conflict in the region, according to Bloomberg.

Ajay Bhalothia, General...