The measure, ordered by President Mohammad Khatami, was taken in and around the towns of Masjed Soleiman, Izeh and Baghmalek -- situated 450 kilometres (280 miles) southwest of Tehran in Khuzestan province -- after a succession of tremors measuring between 2.7 and 4.9 on the Richter scale.

"The president has given the order to the concerned services to be on maximum alert and we are very worried," Masjed Soleiman's prefect Sattar Akbarzadeh told state television.

He nevertheless called on residents to "remain calm".

"All administrative services in the province have been placed on maximum alert," Shapour Rostami, an official from the provincial natural disasters unit, also told state television.

"We have prepared three camps around the towns of Masjed Soleiman, Izeh and Baghmalek, and all schools have been closed," he said.

"All facilities in the three towns have been mobilised, and all facilities in the province are ready to be sent there if needed."

TERRA.WIRE