UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has expressed his condolences for those killed in an earthquake that struck Iran and Pakistan Tuesday and offered United Nations assistance.

"I understand that the damage is less than might have been expected for an earthquake of this strength," he said at a ceremony marking the re-opening of the refurbished Security Council Chamber Tuesday.

"I will continue to follow the news closely as relief workers and search and rescue teams reach the areas. The United Nations stands ready to help as necessary if asked to do so," he said.

At least 35 people were killed, more than 180 others injured and hundreds of houses collapsed after a 7.9-magnitude earthquake hit parts of southern and southwest Pakistan on Tuesday, local officials said.

There have been contradictory reports of casualties in southeastern Iran from the quake, which Iranian authorities measured at 7.5 on the Richter scale.

An hour after the quake, some local media were reporting at least 40 were killed. However, Sistan Baluchestan province governor Hatam Narouei dismissed the figure as a "fabrication" by Western media.

The Iranian government has declared a state of emergency in the affected area. Endi

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