A 4.4 magnitude earthquake in Iran has struck the southern Gerash region, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
The quake hit on Tuesday at a depth of 10 kilometres (6.21 miles), the agency said, with tremors felt across nearby rural communities.
Gerash sits along the seismically volatile Zagros fold and thrust belt — where the Arabian and Eurasian tectonic plates collide — making it one of the Middle East’s most earthquake-prone zones.
While magnitude-4 earthquakes are relatively common in southern Iran, the timing of this tremor is significant. It comes as the Islamic Republic faces intensified military strikes from Israel and the United States.
Local reports indicate shaking was felt in surrounding areas, but there have been no immediate reports of casualties or major structural damage.
Iran frequently experiences moderate earthquakes due to its geological position. Most quakes of this size cause limited impact unless they occur near densely populated areas.
Meanwhile, Israel confirmed it is conducting “simultaneous strikes in Tehran and Beirut”, targeting Iranian military infrastructure and Hezbollah positions.
The Israeli military said it struck missile launchers and air defence systems allegedly used to target Israeli aircraft. It added that operations would continue against ballistic missile launchers and live fire arrays.
The offensive extends beyond Iran. In Lebanon, Israeli troops are intensifying operations against Hezbollah.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said American forces destroyed facilities linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), including command centres, air defence systems, drone launch sites and military airfields.
Iran has responded with aerial attacks across the Gulf region.
On Tuesday morning, Iranian drones struck the US embassy in Riyadh, causing a minor fire and prompting officials to urge American citizens to distance themselves from the compound.
The incident followed a separate Iranian drone strike on the US embassy in Kuwait.
As military tensions escalate across the region, the latest Iran earthquake adds another layer of strain to an already volatile situation.
