Washington: Condoling the earthquake victims in Iran and Pakistan, US Secretary of State John Kerry said the United States stands ready to offer assistance in this difficult time.
"The United States sends our deepest condolences for those lost in the earthquake in southeastern Iran and western Pakistan today," Kerry said in a statement.
"Our thoughts are with the families of those who were killed, those who were injured, and with those communities that have suffered damage to homes and property," he said.
"We stand ready to offer assistance in this difficult time," Kerry said.
Earlier in the day, the State Department spokesperson, Patrick Ventrell, said the US in the past has made exception to provide direct humanitarian assistance to Iran; against whom it has imposed tough economic sanctions, because of its alleged nuclear weapons program.
"We have in the past provided direct emergency assistance in terms of supplies and other technical assistance.
I can't remember the year when there was a very major earthquake, going back a few years, but we did provide direct assistance at that time," Ventrell said.
PTI