November 13, The Iran Project - A 7.3-magnitude earthquake rocked west of Iran at 21:05 local time (17:35 GMT )and areas in east of Iraq on Sunday night (Nov.12) and has so far claimed 407 lives and injured about 6,700 others.

Dozens of rescue teams and relief forces rushed to the area immediately after the incident, and battled to find survivors trapped under rubbles; however, due to the dark and mountainous region, the rescue operation faced some difficulties, but it was accelerated at sunup.

Following the fatal incident, several high-ranking Iranian officials including Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and President Hassan Rouhani ordered rendering speedy aid of the quake-stricken people in west of the country.

Several top foreign officials including United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, EU Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini, UN Representative and coordinator in Tehran Gary Lewis, British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as well as Russian President Vladimir Putin, etc in separate messages offered condolences to the Iranian officials over heavy casualties and destruction caused by a strong earthquake in the west of the country.

Supreme Leader ordered all civil and military officials to rush to the aid of the quake-hit people in west of the country, urging the Army, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) and Basij (Voluntary forces) to speedily help search the trapped and regulate the transfer of the injured.

Meanwhile, President Rouhani in a message said it is necessary for all within the country's relief apparatus, both in the affected and nearby provinces, to cooperate and do all within their capacity to help, accommodate and shelter people in the disaster areas.

Also, Guterres underscored that the United Nations stands ready to assist quake-hit Iranian people if required.

Mogherini also voiced the EU readiness to cooperate with Iran in rendering emergency relief aid to quake-stricken people.

Lewis in a Twitter message on Monday wrote, "Conveying sincere condolences to Government and People of Iran following last night's deadly earthquake on western border. Situation was unclear around midnight, now, as the sun rises this morning, we know more about the number of dead / injured."

Johnson also posted a tweet which says, "Deepest condolences with the people of Iran and Iraq following last night�s deadly earthquake. The UK stands ready to help the victims and the recovery effort."

In another development, Trudeau in a Twitter message wrote, "Tragic news from Iran and Iraq today. Canadians offer their deepest sympathies to the families affected by the earthquake in the region."

"Please accept sincere sympathy and support for the relatives and friends of those who perished and wishes of early convalescence to all survivors of this calamity,'"Putin said.