How to Call Iran From the US: Complete Guide (+98)
Table of Contents
Calling Iran From the US: What You Need to Know
Iran uses the country code +98. With approximately 1 million Iranian-Americans in the US — the largest Iranian diaspora in the world — calls between the two countries are extremely common. But US sanctions and Iranian internet restrictions create unique challenges.
The good news: calling Iran is completely legal, and there are affordable ways to do it.
How to Dial Iran
Dialling Format
From a US phone: 011 + 98 + area code (without leading 0) + local number
From a mobile with + dialling: +98 + area code (without leading 0) + local number
Example Calls
Iranian Area Codes
Iranian mobile numbers start with 09 and are 11 digits total locally. Major carriers include Irancell (MTN), MCI (Hamrah-e Aval), and Rightel. Common prefixes: 0912, 0935, 0901, 0902, 0903.
Sanctions and Legality
This is the question most people have: Is it legal to call Iran from the US? Yes, absolutely.
- Personal communication is legal. US sanctions against Iran target trade, financial transactions, and specific industries. Calling family, friends, or business contacts is not restricted.
- Telecom services are explicitly exempt. OFAC (Office of Foreign Assets Control) has a general license that permits telecommunications services, including phone calls and internet communication.
- Some services self-restrict. Similar to Cuba, some US companies choose not to offer Iran calling as a business decision to avoid sanctions compliance complexity. Google Voice, for example, does not support calls to Iran.
- Sending money is restricted. While calling is legal, sending money to Iran through most channels is not. This is relevant because you cannot easily top up someone's phone credit in Iran the way you can for Cuba or other countries.
Internet and VoIP in Iran
Iran has a complex relationship with the internet. The government controls and filters internet access through the "National Information Network":
- WhatsApp: Works in Iran but the government has attempted to block it multiple times. As of 2026, it generally works but reliability fluctuates.
- Telegram: Was once the dominant app in Iran but was officially blocked in 2018. Many Iranians still access it via VPN.
- Instagram: Still works and is hugely popular in Iran — used for business communication too.
- VPNs are widespread. An estimated 60-80% of Iranian internet users use VPNs to access blocked services. Your contact in Iran likely has a VPN.
- Internet shutdowns. Iran has implemented internet shutdowns during protests (notably in 2019 and 2022). During these events, all VoIP and messaging services become inaccessible, and even regular phone calls can be affected.
Cost Comparison
Google Voice does not support Iran. Skype charges $0.10/min. BubblyPhone at $0.01/min is 10x cheaper than Skype and one of the few reliable paid options for Iran.
Best Time to Call Iran
Iran is on Iran Standard Time (IRST, UTC+3:30) — one of the few countries with a half-hour offset. Iran observes daylight saving time (IRDT, UTC+4:30).
- 8.5 hours ahead of ET: 9 AM in New York = 5:30 PM in Tehran
- 11.5 hours ahead of PT: 9 AM in LA = 8:30 PM in Tehran
- Best window from ET: 8-10 AM ET = 4:30-6:30 PM Tehran (evening)
- Iranian weekend: Friday is the day off. Saturday is a half-day for some. The work week is Saturday through Thursday.
Practical Tips
- Install multiple apps. Have WhatsApp, Telegram, and Instagram ready. If one is blocked or throttled in Iran at any given time, another may work.
- Nowruz (Persian New Year). Nowruz on March 20-21 is the biggest Iranian holiday — a two-week celebration. Call volume spikes enormously around this time. Calling on Nowruz itself is especially meaningful.
- Tarof culture. Iranians practice "tarof" — elaborate politeness. Do not take initial refusals literally. If someone says "do not trouble yourself to call," they likely want you to call.
- Call quality varies. Iranian internet speeds can be slow, especially during periods of government throttling. Voice-only calls work better than video calls. Be patient with connection quality.
- Persian vs Farsi. Both terms refer to the same language. Iranians typically say "Farsi" in English contexts. Either is correct.
Summary
To call Iran from the US, dial 011 + 98 + area code (without 0) + number. Calling Iran is completely legal. BubblyPhone offers $0.01/min — one of the few affordable options since Google Voice does not support Iran. Tehran is 8.5 hours ahead of ET (note the half-hour offset). WhatsApp works in Iran but reliability varies; have multiple apps ready.
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