The United States on Tuesday said it is monitoring the 6.3 magnitude earthquake that shook southern Iran, reportedly killing dozens of people and devastating entire towns. “We have seen the reports of an earthquake and are monitoring the situation," State Department deputy spokesman Patrick Ventrell told reporters. “We understand this was near Bushehr. We refer you to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for further comments," Ventrell said, adding that part of Iran's nuclear program is near the southwestern Iranian city. Asked whether there is radiation concerns associated with the powerful earthquake, Ventrell said, “I refer you to the IAEA."
