The US is ready to restart attacks on Iran if a deal cannot be reached, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ​said on Saturday, as negotiators from Washington and Tehran worked ‌to bridge major differences blocking an agreement, reports Reuters.

"Our ability to recommence if necessary...we are more than capable," Hegseth said in Singapore.

The Reuters Iran Briefing newsletter keeps you informed with the latest developments and analysis of the Iran war.

"Our stockpiles are more than ​suited for that, both there and around the globe, ​so we're in a very good place," he added.

Hegseth, ⁠speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia's premier forum for defence leaders, ​militaries and diplomats, said the U.S. has not turned its back ​on the Asia-Pacific region despite being engaged in conflict with Iran.

"We can do two things at one time. We're super-charging our defence industrial base so ​that we're building 2X, 3X, 4X the munitions very soon ​to ensure that all of our (operations) plans are properly funded throughout the world," ‌he ⁠said.

The Pentagon chief said President Donald Trump was "patient" and wants to make a "great deal" that ensures Iran does not get a nuclear weapon.

On Friday, Trump said he would meet in a secure ​White House room ​to make a "final ⁠determination" on a proposal to end the Iran war, which would extend an early-April truce for ​another 60 days, giving negotiators time to forge ​a ⁠permanent end to the conflict.

The war launched by the US and Israel on February 28 has killed thousands of people, mainly in ⁠Iran and ​Lebanon, and caused global economic pain ​by pushing up energy prices due to Iran's effective closure of the Strait of ​Hormuz.

MSH

At least 34 people, including two babies were killed when a contraband fuel depot exploded into flames in southern Benin near the border with Nigeria on Saturday.

According to Beninese Interior Minister Alassane Seidou, “a serious fire occurred in the town of Seme Podji. Another 20 people were seriously wounded in the incident.”

"I can't really give you the cause of the fire, but there is a large gasoline warehouse here and cars, tricycles and motorcycles come from morning to evening,” he added.

Nigeria is a main oil and gas producer where fuel smuggling is very common along its borders, particularly when the government maintains a subsidy to keep fuel prices low.

The majority of the victims were burnt and they could not be not be identified.

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