The quake "ruined" the city of Kaki, which is near the epicenter, the state-run IRNA news agency said.

CNN: State TV: 4 dead after quake hits Iran, near nuclear site

Kaki resident Mondani Hosseini told The Associated Press that people had run out into the streets out of fear.

NPR: Iran Says 32 Killed In Earthquake In South

The report said the earthquake struck the town of Kaki some 96 kilometers (60 miles) southeast of Bushehr, a town on the Persian Gulf that is home of Iran's first nuclear power plant, built with Russian help.

NPR: Iran Says 32 Killed In Earthquake In South

Seismologists said the quake struck at 16:22 (11:52 GMT) at a depth of 10km (6.2 miles) near the town of Kaki, south of Bushehr - a Gulf port city that is home to Iran's first and only nuclear power plant.

BBC: Iran: Dozens of aftershocks follow deadly earthquake