"The United States is saddened by the loss of life in Monday's earthquake in Kerman, Iran," National Security Council spokesman Mike Hammer said.

"The people of Kerman have suffered a great deal as a result of this natural disaster. We offer our condolences to the victims and their loved ones and are prepared to offer assistance to those in need during this difficult time."

The 6.5-magnitude earthquake struck on Monday, wrecking villages and bringing down power lines, Iranian media reported.

Iran sits astride several major fault lines in the Earth's crust and is prone to frequent earthquakes, many of which have been devastating.

Though it is involved in a tense standoff with Iran over its nuclear program and other issues, the Obama administration says it has no quarrel with Iran's people and often expresses commiserations after natural disasters and condemns terror attacks in the country.

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