(AP) -- Rouhani, who was visiting the area Tuesday, said his administration plans to support reconstruction with both handouts and loans.

He says he appreciates foreign countries for expressing sympathy with victims of Sunday's temblor, which measured magnitude 7.3. The quake killed hundreds and injured thousands in the border region of Iran and Iraq.

Authorities say the quake destroyed more than 12,000 homes and local reports say many people are still in need of tents and blankets.

Iran sits on many major fault lines and is prone to near-daily quakes. In 2003, a magnitude 6.6 earthquake flattened the historic city of Bam, killing 26,000 people. In 2012, a major casualty earthquake killed over 300.

(Photo: AP)