A 4.3 magnitude earthquake struck the Gerash region in Iran on Tuesday amid the ongoing conflict involving United States and Israel, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
The tremor occurred at a depth of 10 kilometres at around 12:24 pm, USGS reported. There were no immediate reports of major damage or casualties from the earthquake.
Conflict intensifies across the region
The earthquake comes at a time when tensions across West Asia continue to escalate following the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Iran has intensified retaliatory strikes across the region, including drone and missile attacks targeting Israeli and US-linked facilities.
Reports indicated that Iranian drones struck the US Embassy in the Saudi capital Riyadh, while additional strikes were reported on military bases and diplomatic missions in the region.
Meanwhile, explosions were heard across Tehran as US and Israeli forces continued air strikes.
Strait of Hormuz blockade raises global alarm
Iran has also moved to block the critical maritime passage of the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly 20 percent of global oil shipments pass.
Ebrahim Jabbari, an adviser to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, warned that ships attempting to pass through the strait could face attacks.
“Don’t come to this region,” he said, threatening to set vessels ablaze if they attempted to transit the waterway.
The conflict has already pushed global oil and natural gas prices sharply higher, especially after Iran targeted energy infrastructure in Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
Rising casualties in the region
Humanitarian agencies report a rising toll from the ongoing strikes.
The Iranian Red Crescent Society said the number of deaths in Iran has crossed 555, while the Washington-based monitoring group Human Rights Activists News Agency estimated the total civilian death toll at over 742, including 176 children.
In Lebanon, the Health Ministry said 52 people were killed and 154 wounded in Israeli strikes targeting Hezbollah-linked areas in the suburbs of Beirut and southern Lebanon.
Another strong earthquake in Indonesia
Separately, a 6.1 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Sumatra in Indonesia on Tuesday, according to USGS and the National Centre for Seismology.
Authorities said the quake originated offshore near the island’s northeastern tip, prompting residents to move to open areas for safety.
No major damage or casualties were immediately reported.