Iran FM sympathizes with Turkish counterpart over deadly earthquake

Tehran, Oct 30, IRNA – Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, in a message on Friday, deeply sympathized with his Turkish counterpart Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu over deadly earthquake in the western city of Izmir earlier today. In his message, the Iranian minister wished immediate recovery for those injured in the incident. Zarif voiced Iran’s readiness to deliver aid to the quake-hit people and provide any kind of assistance in this regard. Turkish media reported that a 6.6-magnitute earthquake shook western coasts of the country at 15:21 local time. The quake, which majorly rattled the city of Izmir, has killed some 4 people, injuring some 120 others so far. Mehdi Valipour, the director of IRCS Rescue and Relief Organization, said that immediately after the earthquake occurred in the neighboring country, Red Crescent societies in five Iranian provinces – West Azarbaijan, East Azarbaijan, Ardebil, Kordestan which are very close to Turkey as well as Tehran – are standing in standby position, ready to provide rescue and relief operation in the quake-stricken areas if needed.