WASHINGTON, Feb. 22 (UPI) -- The U.S. State Department said Tuesday it was considering giving Iran assistance in the wake of an earthquake that killed nearly 400 people.
The 6.4 magnitude quake in the mountainous southern part of the country killed at least 370 people.
A senior State Department official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the United States was waiting for an initial assessment of the damage by Iranian officials, and an appeal to the international community before making an offer. When asked if a U.S. offer may come before an Iranian request, the official said, "It'll be a combination of things."
Although the two countries have not had relations since 1979, they cooperated closely following the 6.6 magnitude quake in December 2003 in Bam, Iran, in which some 26,000 people were killed.
They are now involved in a diplomatic standoff over Iran's nuclear program.
