NEW : Many are confirmed dead , and the death toll is expected to rise , state - run media says . NEW : Many people are buried in the rubble , and 7 aftershocks hit the country within 24 hours . The strike was centered in a largely rural area , though not far from the city of Bam . And there 's been plenty of activity in recent months as well . Iran lies on a series of seismic fault lines and experiences earthquakes almost daily .
NEW : Many are confirmed dead , and the death toll is expected to rise , state - run media says . NEW : Many people are buried in the rubble , and 7 aftershocks hit the country within 24 hours . The strike was centered in a largely rural area , though not far from the city of Bam . Iran lies on a series of seismic fault lines and experiences earthquakes almost daily .