Several aid agencies and countries, including the United States, have rushed to the assistance of Iran, where more than 20,000 people are feared killed in an earthquake.

Two specialists of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs left Geneva for southeast Iran, the epicentre of the quake, on Friday, a spokeswoman for the world agency said in Geneva. Eight more will leave on Saturday, she added.

According to her, Iran had said it urgently needed medical supplies, tents, field hospitals, blankets and water treatment equipment but did not immediately require food aid.

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan's spokesman said in New York a $90,000 grant would come from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

UNICEF also launched an immediate $350,000 appeal for humanitarian needs.

"This is a terrible tragedy," said White House spokesman Scott McClellan: "Our thoughts and prayers are with those who were injured and with the families of those who were killed. And we are offering humanitarian assistance."

Details of the US help to Iran (which President George W Bush once called part of an "axis of evil) would be announced later, he said.

Russia offered rapid-response units of doctors, paramedics and sniffer dog-handlers to help find people buried under rubble.

"In accordance with an order from the head of state emergencies ministry, specialists are preparing to fly to Iran to give help to the injured," said a statement from President Vladimir Putin's press service.

In Berlin, German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer offered help in rescuing survivors.

Italy sent a C-130 military transport plane with a sniffer dog unit and unspecified vehicles, the Ansa news agency reported.

The European Commission in Brussels said it would provide aid from the funds of Echo, its humanitarian office.