How To Call Iran From USA: Updated For 2025
Quick Answer
To call Iran from the United States:
- Landline:
011 + 98 + Area Code (2 digits) + Local Number (8 digits) - Mobile:
011 + 98 + Mobile Prefix (3 digits) + Subscriber Number (7 digits)
Examples:
- For a Tehran landline (Area Code 21):
011 + 98 + 21 + XXXX XXXX - For an Isfahan landline (Area Code 31):
011 + 98 + 31 + XXXX XXXX - For an Iranian mobile phone (e.g., MCI prefix 912):
011 + 98 + 912 + XXX XXXX
Iran uses Iran Standard Time (IRST), UTC+3:30, year-round. This is generally 7.5 to 8.5 hours ahead of US Eastern Time (ET), depending on whether the US is on Daylight Saving Time.
How to Dial Iran from the US
How to Call a Landline in Iran
To call an Iranian landline from the United States, follow these steps:
- Step 1 – Dial the US exit code: Start by dialing
011. - Step 2 – Dial Iran's country code: Next, key in
98. - Step 3 – Dial the Iranian Area Code: Iranian area codes are 2 digits (e.g.,
21for Tehran,31for Isfahan). You do NOT dial the leading0sometimes seen in local Iranian numbers. - Step 4 – Dial the local phone number: Dial the remaining 8 digits of the local number. The total number of digits after the country code (Area Code + Local Number) is 10.
For example:
- To call a Tehran number that is locally
021 XXXX XXXX, you would dial:011 98 21 XXXX XXXX - To call an Isfahan number that is locally
031 XXXX XXXX, you would dial:011 98 31 XXXX XXXX
How to Call a Mobile Phone in Iran
Calling an Iranian mobile phone from the US involves these steps:
- Step 1 – Dial the US exit code: Start by dialing
011. - Step 2 – Dial Iran's country code: Next, key in
98. - Step 3 – Dial the Iranian mobile prefix and number: Iranian mobile numbers consist of a 3-digit prefix (e.g.,
912, 935, 901) followed by a 7-digit subscriber number. You do NOT dial any leading0that might be used for domestic calls.
For example, if the Iranian mobile number is 0912 XXX XXXX, you would dial: 011 98 912 XXX XXXX from the US.
Understanding Iranian Phone Numbers
Iranian phone numbers are structured with the country code +98. When dialing from abroad, the national trunk prefix 0 used within Iran is dropped.
Landline Numbers
- Format from US:
011 + 98 + Area Code (2 digits) + Local Number (8 digits) - The area code for Tehran is
21, followed by an 8-digit local number. - Other major cities and regions also have a 2-digit area code, followed by an 8-digit local number.
- Total digits after +98: Always 10 (e.g.,
21 XXXX XXXX).
Mobile Numbers
- Format from US:
011 + 98 + Mobile Prefix (3 digits) + Subscriber Number (7 digits) - Total digits after +98: Always 10 (e.g.,
912 XXX XXXX).
Iranian Area Codes (Fixed Lines)
This is a list of common area codes for landlines in Iran. Remember to dial 011 + 98 before these codes, then the 8-digit local number. The leading 0 found in domestic dialing is dropped.
| Area/City | Area Code (Dial after 98) | Total Digits after +98 |
|---|---|---|
| Tehran (Capital) | 21 | 10 (21 + 8 digits) |
| Mashhad (Razavi Khorasan) | 51 | 10 (51 + 8 digits) |
| Isfahan | 31 | 10 (31 + 8 digits) |
| Karaj (Alborz) | 26 | 10 (26 + 8 digits) |
| Shiraz (Fars) | 71 | 10 (71 + 8 digits) |
| Tabriz (East Azerbaijan) | 41 | 10 (41 + 8 digits) |
| Qom | 25 | 10 (25 + 8 digits) |
| Ahvaz (Khuzestan) | 61 | 10 (61 + 8 digits) |
| Kermanshah | 83 | 10 (83 + 8 digits) |
| Urmia (West Azerbaijan) | 44 | 10 (44 + 8 digits) |
| Rasht (Gilan) | 13 | 10 (13 + 8 digits) |
| Zahedan (Sistan and Baluchestan) | 54 | 10 (54 + 8 digits) |
| Hamadan | 81 | 10 (81 + 8 digits) |
| Kerman | 34 | 10 (34 + 8 digits) |
| Yazd | 35 | 10 (35 + 8 digits) |
| Arak (Markazi) | 86 | 10 (86 + 8 digits) |
| Bandar Abbas (Hormozgan) | 76 | 10 (76 + 8 digits) |
| Zanjan | 24 | 10 (24 + 8 digits) |
| Qazvin | 28 | 10 (28 + 8 digits) |
| Sanandaj (Kurdistan) | 87 | 10 (87 + 8 digits) |
| Gorgan (Golestan) | 17 | 10 (17 + 8 digits) |
| Sari (Mazandaran) | 11 | 10 (11 + 8 digits) |
| Ardabil | 45 | 10 (45 + 8 digits) |
| Khorramabad (Lorestan) | 66 | 10 (66 + 8 digits) |
| Ilam | 84 | 10 (84 + 8 digits) |
| Shahr-e Kord (Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari) | 38 | 10 (38 + 8 digits) |
| Bojnurd (North Khorasan) | 58 | 10 (58 + 8 digits) |
| Semnan | 23 | 10 (23 + 8 digits) |
| Yasuj (Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad) | 74 | 10 (74 + 8 digits) |
| Birjand (South Khorasan) | 56 | 10 (56 + 8 digits) |
| Bushehr | 77 | 10 (77 + 8 digits) |
Note: Iranian landline numbers typically consist of a 2-digit area code followed by an 8-digit local number, making a total of 10 digits after the +98 country code.
Iranian Mobile Phone Prefixes
Iranian mobile numbers are 10 digits long after the +98 country code. They consist of a 3-digit prefix followed by a 7-digit subscriber number.
| Operator (Primary Association) | Mobile Prefixes (after 98) |
|---|---|
| MCI (Hamrah-e Avval) | 910, 911, 912, 913, 914, 915, 916, 917, 918, 919, 990, 991, 992, 993, 994 |
| MTN Irancell | 901, 902, 903, 904, 905, 930, 933, 935, 936, 937, 938, 939 |
| Rightel | 920, 921, 922 |
| MVNOs (e.g., Shatel Mobile, ApTel) | 998 (e.g., 9981x), 999 (various sub-ranges) |
*Number portability is active in Iran, so a prefix does not definitively indicate the current operator for a specific number.
Time Difference
Iran operates on Iran Standard Time (IRST), which is UTC+3:30 year-round. Iran no longer observes Daylight Saving Time as of 2023.
The time difference compared to the US East Coast (ET):
- During US Standard Time (EST, UTC-5): Iran is 8.5 hours ahead of ET. (e.g., 12 PM EST is 8:30 PM IRST in Iran).
- During US Daylight Time (EDT, UTC-4): Iran is 7.5 hours ahead of ET. (e.g., 12 PM EDT is 7:30 PM IRST in Iran).
Iran's Phone System
Iran has a developing telecommunications sector. The Telecommunication Company of Iran (TCI), a state-owned entity, is the primary provider of fixed-line telephone services. The mobile sector is more competitive, with major operators including Mobile Communication Company of Iran (MCI or Hamrah-e-Avval), MTN Irancell, and Rightel. Mobile penetration is high, with widespread 4G/LTE coverage in urban centers and expanding into rural regions. The rollout of 5G services is underway. Internet access is prevalent but is subject to government regulations and content filtering.
Best Times to Call
Considering Iran is 7.5 to 8.5 hours ahead of US ET (depending on US Daylight Saving):
- The Iranian work week is typically Saturday to Wednesday, from around 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM local time. Thursday can be a half-day for some businesses, and Friday is the official weekend day.
- To reach someone during their business hours from the US East Coast (ET): Aim for early morning, e.g., 8:00 AM - 10:30 AM ET. This would be approximately:
- 3:30 PM - 6:00 PM IRST if the US is on EDT (summer).
- 4:30 PM - 7:00 PM IRST if the US is on EST (winter).
- Always confirm your contact's availability, especially if calling outside standard business hours.
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- Dial the full international number for Iran:
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