By Paul Joseph
A fresh earthquake struck parts of Tehran late Tuesday night, sending residents rushing outdoors after tremors were felt across the Iranian capital and nearby suburbs.
According to the United States Geological Survey, the earthquake measured 4.3 in magnitude and occurred around 11:46 p.m. local time.
However, Iran’s state broadcaster, Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting, reported the tremor as a 4.6 magnitude quake, saying it struck the Pardis area east of Tehran at a depth of approximately 10 kilometres.
The tremor was also reportedly felt in Karaj, located about 40 kilometres west of the capital, causing fear and anxiety among residents in surrounding communities.
Authorities said there were no immediate reports of casualties or major structural damage following the incident.
The latest earthquake comes amid heightened regional tensions linked to the ongoing Middle East conflict involving Iran, although officials have not suggested any connection between the tremor and current geopolitical developments.
Iran remains one of the world’s most earthquake-prone countries due to its location along the active boundary between the Arabian and Eurasian tectonic plates.
The country has experienced several devastating earthquakes over the decades, including the 1990 Rudbar-Tarom earthquake, which measured 7.4 in magnitude and killed more than 40,000 people.
Another major disaster struck in 2003 when the Bam earthquake claimed over 26,000 lives and destroyed large parts of the historic city.
Seismologists warn that shallow earthquakes in densely populated regions such as Tehran continue to pose serious risks because of ageing infrastructure and high population density.
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