An earthquake measuring 4.4 on the Richter scale has hit Khourmowj area near Bushehr, in southern Iran, on the Persian Gulf.

According to the Seismological Center of Iran, the jolt happened in a depth of 18 kilometers, however, no accurate reports have been published yet on the epicenter of the quake.

Earthquakes in Bushehr area are significant as the city hosts Iran's nuclear power plant in an complex which is over four decades old.

Early reports on the location of the quake said the epicenter was 18 kilometers from Khourmowj, 29 kilometers from Boushkan and 29 kilometers from Kaki. However, the report did not point out if the epicenter was inland or under the continental shelf in the Persian Gulf where serious jolts might lead to a tsunami.

Iranian sources have not reported on possible casualties.