TEHRAN – Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has announced Tehran’s readiness to provide humanitarian assistance following a devastating earthquake that struck the eastern province of Kunar late Sunday, killing hundreds and injuring thousands.

The 6.0-magnitude tremor leveled homes and caused widespread destruction across several towns near Jalalabad. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said at a press conference in Kabul that at least 800 people were killed and 2,500 injured in Kunar, while another 12 deaths and 255 injuries were recorded in neighboring Nangarhar province.

In a message on Monday, President Pezeshkian expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy in the “friendly and brotherly” nation of Afghanistan. He also wished a swift recovery for the injured.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi separately conveyed sympathy to the Afghan people and the families of the victims, emphasizing that Iran was fully prepared to dispatch relief and medical teams to the quake-hit areas.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei echoed the pledge, stressing that Iran stands ready to support the treatment of the injured and to work with Afghanistan through regional and joint cooperation to ease the suffering caused by the disaster.