Two Air Self-Defense Force transport planes left Tuesday for Iran to airlift relief goods to the country's southeastern region devastated by a powerful earthquake.

The C-130 transports and some 30 airmen departed from the ASDF's Komaki base in Aichi Prefecture shortly after 10 a.m. They are scheduled to arrive at Iran's Kerman airport Thursday after stopping in Singapore to load relief supplies.

Kerman airport is located about 200 km northwest of the ancient city of Bam, which was struck by the massive quake Friday that killed at least 25,000 people.

The aircraft will pick up blankets, tents and other relief goods stored by the government's foreign aid body, the Japan International Cooperation Agency, in Singapore.