5.2-magnitude earthquake strikes near Tehran

Iran's state television says that a magnitude 5.2 earthquake has jolted a town near the country's capital.

The report says the quake hit Meshkindasht, about 40 kilometers (25 miles) southwest of Tehran, at 23:28 Wednesday local time. There were no immediate reports of casualties or major damage.

The quake was also felt in the cities of Karaj, Qom, Qazvin and Arak according to state TV.

In parts of Tehran residents flooded into streets and parks, fearing a stronger aftershock.

Authorities have not yet identified any damage or casualties from the quake, the latest in a series to have rattled the Islamic republic in the past weeks.

In November, a 7.2 magnitude quake hit western Iran, killing more than 600 people.

Iran is prone to near-daily earthquakes as it sits on major fault lines. In 2003, a 6.6 magnitude quake flattened the historic city of Bam, killing 26,000 people.