TEHRAN- After a devastating earthquake that claimed more than 2,000 lives in Afghanistan, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has signaled readiness to offer help.

On Monday, IRGC spokesman Ramezan Sharif expressed sorrow for the people of Afghanistan and the families of those killed in the recent devastating earthquake.

He stated that IRGC Commander Major General Hossein Salami has issued an order to send relief aid and rescue teams to quake-hit areas of Afghanistan and that the IRGC and Basij forces are ready to assist Afghans affected by the quakes within the framework of humanitarian cooperation and on the basis of Islamic teachings at the request of Afghan officials.

In a statement on Sunday, the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani expressed regret over the death of Afghan citizens in Saturday’s earthquake in the western Herat province that neighbors Iran.

He also expressed solidarity with the Afghan people over a deadly earthquake.

Kanaani extended his sympathy to the acting government and the people of the neighboring Muslim country.

While offering condolences to the bereaved families, the Foreign Ministry spokesman also wished fast recovery for the wounded.

Kanaani said Iran’s thoughts are with the dear people of Afghanistan, according to the statement.

A powerful earthquake hit western Afghanistan on Saturday that is estimated to have killed 2,000 people, according to a senior Taliban official.

Suhail Shaheen, the Taliban spokesperson based in Qatar, told Al Jazeera that many people were missing and rescue operations were underway to save people trapped in debris in the wake of a magnitude 6.3 earthquake in Herat province.

Shaheen said there was an urgent need for tents, medical and food items in the areas hit by the disaster, as he appealed to local businessmen and NGOs to come forward to help the people in need.

Earlier, Abdul Wahid Rayan, spokesman at the Ministry of Information and Culture, told The Associated Press that more than 2,000 people were killed in the quake and strong aftershocks. About six villages have been destroyed and hundreds of civilians have been buried under the debris, he said, calling for urgent help.

Also on Sunday, the Iranian Red Crescent Society dispatched a package of humanitarian aid and a team of rescue forces to Afghanistan.

“Ten teams including 50 rescue workers have been dispatched to Afghanistan,” IRNA quoted Babak Mahmoudi, the head of the IRCS rescue and relief organization, as saying.

Also, 500 tents, 1,000 pieces of moquette, 4,000 blankets, 500 dishes, and 500 food packages, along with search equipment had been sent to the quake-hit neighboring country.