TEHRAN -- The Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, offered his condolences to the nation and expressed his deep concern over the death of hundreds of Iranians killed in an earthquake which had its epicenter in Qazvin Province. He called for assistance to be swiftly provided to the victims.

The Leader said that the tragic event which caused many deaths and injuries in the provinces of Qazvin and Hamedan saddened him.

Ayatollah Khamenei called on all relief organizations to rush to the assistance of the quake-stricken people and asked the Iranian nation to help the officials in their relief efforts.