UN ready to offer assistance after Iran quake: spokesman

UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 30 (Xinhua) -- The world body is ready to offer assistance to Iran after the country was hit by a 5.9-magnitude earthquake on Saturday evening, said a UN spokesman on Monday.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry has requested UN assistance, and the world body stands ready to support the response, said Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

"We extend our condolences to the government of Iran and to the affected families," said the spokesman.

After the earthquake, relief operations and damage assessments are under way, and the Iranian Red Crescent Society has mobilized emergency teams and relief items, he said.