The United States Geological Survey said it had a magnitude of 6.2 on the Richter scale.
According to Iranian state TV, at least five people have been killed and over 200 injured in Mazandaran province.
The earthquake was felt from the Caspian Sea provinces to the central city of Isfahan and the northwest city of Ardebil.
The quake shook buildings in Tehran and people in the streets screamed, with the 6.8 magnitude earthquake in Bam which left over 20,000 people dead still fresh in their memories.
There were also reports that some windows in western Tehran were shattered.
Reuters reported that the Geological Survey, monitored from London, said on its Web site: "A strong earthquake occurred at 12:38:46 (GMT) on Friday...The magnitude 6.2 event has been located in northern Iran."
Iran is situated on some of the most dangerous seismic fault lines and has often been a victim of earthquakes.
Experts say that there is daily seismic activity in Tehran and on average three to four identifiable tremors of up to three on the Richter scale every day. But there have only been two quakes as high as 4.5 in the last 100 years.
Last winter a deadly quake hit the historical city of Bam; Over 25,000 killed in that quake.
MS/HG
End
MNA
Your Comment