In the UAE, which has a dispute with Iran over three strategic Gulf islands controlled by Tehran, President Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahayan ordered the dispatch of a team from the Red Crescent Society "to provide emergency and relief aid" to the quake victims, according to the official WAM news agency.

In Kuwait, the head of the Gulf emirate's Red Crescent Society, Berjes Hmud al-Berjes, told KUNA news agency his organization was "at the ready to assist its Iranian counterpart" in caring for the quake victims.

Berjes said intensive contacts were under way between the two bodies to determine what the Kuwaiti Red Crescent could do to help.

"We will do all that we can to stand by our friends in Iran," he said.

More than 20,000 people were killed when a massive earthquake devastated Iran's historic fort city of Bam on Friday, a source in the provincial governor's office said.

The source, speaking on condition of anonymity, added that 50,000 others were injured in the quake.

TERRA.WIRE