TEHRAN, Iran — In an apparent change of heart, Iran says foreign aid is now welcome for those affected by twin earthquakes that struck the country's northwest last weekend.

The state IRNA news agency Tuesday quoted Vice-President Mohammad Reza Rahimi as saying that Iran is ready to receive help from abroad. The remarks indicate authorities are struggling to deal with the quakes' aftermath.

The 6.4 and 6.3 magnitude quakes Saturday killed 306 and injured more than 3,000 people in an area bordering Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Iran's Red Crescent said Monday the country doesn't need foreign assistance and sent back a rescue team from Turkey that arrived without advance coordination.

Iranian authorities say they have accommodated some 50,000 people who lost their homes during the quakes, which have been followed by scores of aftershocks.