Ghasemi dismisses rumors on UAE offer of aid over earthquake

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Ghasemi on Tuesday said the rumors circling in cyberspace about a phone conversation between the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani are false, stressing that such a conversation has not taken place and the United Arab Emirates has not made any offers of assistance over the devastating earthquake that rocked the western provinces of Iran.

A 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck Sunday night about 64 miles (103km) southeast of the city of Sulaymaniyah, near the Iraq-Iran border, leaving devastating damage to Sarpol-e Zahab county in Kermanshah province, western Iran. At least 500 people have been reported dead in Iran, with over 6,000 injured in the powerful earthquake.

Following the earthquake, officials from around the world sent message of condolences, offering help and sympathies to the bereaved families of victims.

In a tweet on Tuesday, Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif thanked global expressions of sympathy and offers of assistance, saying that "for now, we can manage with our own resources.”