Russia and Germany have offered help to victims of this morning's earthquake in southeastern Iran that has killed thousands and razed many buildings.
Russia's Emergencies Ministry, which is highly skilled in reacting to the country's frequent natural and man-made disasters, has rapid response units of doctors, paramedics and dog-handlers - who can find people buried under rubble.
"In accordance with an order from the head of state Emergencies Ministry specialists are preparing to fly to Iran to give help to the injured," said a statement from President Vladimir Putin's press service after a meeting with Emergencies Minister Sergei Shoigu on Friday.
"Now we are awaiting a response from the Iranian authorities," Shoigu told Putin, according to Interfax news agency.
Russia has close ties with Iran, and is building a nuclear power station near the southern city of Bushehr on the Gulf.
In Berlin, German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer offered Tehran help to rescue earthquake survivors who may be trapped in collapsed buildings and to repair damage.
"Germany is ready to do everything in its powers to contribute to recovering and rescuing people in the earthquake region," Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer said in a telegram sent to his Iranian counterpart Kamal Kharrazi.