Iran's Sarpol-e Zahab region was the worst affected, accounted for more than 100 victims.

While the US Geological Survey placed the reading at magnitude 7.3, local meteorological officials put it at magnitude 6.5.

The epicentre has been deemed to be in Penjwin in Sulaimaniyah province in the Kurdistan region.

Iranian interior minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli told state TV, "The night has made it difficult for helicopters to fly to the affected areas and some roads are also cut off... we are worried about remote villages."

According to officials, more than 1,700 people have sustained injuries.

The deputy governor of Iran’s Kermanshah province, Mojtaba Nikkerdar, said that the government is setting up emergency camps.

Tremors were also felt in parts of Turkey and Israel.