Iran ? A strong earthquake followed by several aftershocks jolted western Iran early today, killing at least 17 and injuring hundreds, state media reported.

The quake had a preliminary magnitude of 5.0 and was centered near Boroujerd and Doroud, two industrial cities in western Iran, the official Islamic Republic News Agency reported.

The quake was followed by two weaker aftershocks. But a third tremor had a magnitude of 6.0, and hit Doroud and surrounding villages at shortly before 5 a.m. local time today, IRNA reported.