Call Iran in 2026: Verified Rates During Internet Blackout (73+ Days)
Call Iran from US in 2026 — verified Rebtel $0.15-0.17/min, KeepCalling $0.169-0.249/min, BubblyPhone $0.6665/min. Honest pricing during the 73-day Iran internet blackout. WhatsApp, FaceTime, Telegram all unusable. Country code +98.
🚨 May 2026 update: Iran's internet blackout is in its 73rd day.
Per NetBlocks monitoring, Iran has been near-fully disconnected from the global internet for over 1,700 hours. All app-based voice services that depend on data connectivity in Iran — WhatsApp, FaceTime, Telegram, Signal, IMO, Messenger, Viber — are unusable on the Iran side. The only reliable way to reach family is a service that terminates as a regular PSTN call (landline or cellular voice channel, both of which run on infrastructure separate from internet data).
We have a dedicated guide for this situation: Call Iran During the Internet Blackout → (includes honest comparison: BubblyPhone is NOT the cheapest for Iran — Rebtel at $0.15/min and KeepCalling at $0.169/min are 4× cheaper for sustained calling).
Calling Iran costs $0.6665/min for landlines and $0.67–0.82/min for mobile (varies by Iranian carrier) with BubblyPhone — roughly $40–50 for a full hour. That's expensive compared to most destinations because of Iran-specific routing complications. The country code is +98, with Tehran at +98 21. Iran has a unique and restrictive internet environment that has reached its most extreme form in 2026 with the ongoing nationwide blackout. The main mobile carriers are MCI (Hamrah-e Aval), Irancell (MTN), and RighTel. Iran runs on IRST (UTC+3:30) — note the unusual 30-minute offset, and no DST since 2022.
Whether you're calling family in Tehran, friends in Isfahan, or business contacts in Iran, here's every option — with an honest note that for sustained Iran calling, specialised services like Rebtel and KeepCalling have negotiated dedicated termination contracts and are significantly cheaper than BubblyPhone. We'll show you both.
WhatsApp Is BLOCKED in Iran (and Worse in 2026)
The Iranian government has long blocked WhatsApp. As of May 2026, the situation is more severe: Iran has been in a near-total internet blackout for 73+ consecutive days (the longest ever recorded in any country, per NetBlocks). Even Iranians who normally used VPNs to access WhatsApp can no longer do so, because the underlying internet connectivity itself is cut. Do not rely on any app-based voice service for calling Iran during the blackout. Domestic apps like Eitaa and Rubika are state-approved alternatives but still need data connectivity, which is currently unavailable to most users. See our global WhatsApp-voice-blocked map for how Iran compares to other restrictive countries.
Sanctions Affect Services
US sanctions against Iran mean some American services may not work for Iran. Google Voice may not connect to Iranian numbers. Some VoIP providers refuse Iran traffic. BubblyPhone works for Iran calls, but always test with a short call first to confirm connectivity.
Free: App-to-App Calls (Limited)
Free calling to Iran is complicated due to government restrictions. Here's the reality:
1. WhatsApp — BLOCKED
WhatsApp is blocked by the Iranian government.Some Iranians access it through VPNs, but it's unreliable. If your contact uses a VPN, WhatsApp calls may work sometimes — but frequently disconnect.
Warning: Do not rely on WhatsApp for important calls to Iran. VPN access is intermittent and the government cracks down periodically.
2. Telegram — Partially Blocked
Telegram is partially blocked in Iran but remains very popular through VPNs and proxy servers. Many Iranians still use Telegram daily. Voice calls are less reliable than text messaging.
Tip: Telegram messaging usually works through proxies. Voice calls are more likely to be blocked. Use text and voice messages as fallbacks.
3. Eitaa & Rubika — Iranian Apps
Eitaa and Rubika are government-approved Iranian messaging appsused domestically. If your contact inside Iran uses these, they work without VPNs. However, you'll need to install these apps and they may not be available in all app stores.
4. FaceTime — Restricted
FaceTime access in Iran is limited. iPhone market share exists among wealthier Iranians, but Apple services face restrictions due to both government blocking and US sanctions.
Calling Iranian Phone Numbers
Iran is expensive to call, and sanctions complicate things:
| Service | Mobile Rate | Landline Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rebtel | $0.17/min | $0.15/min | $10/mo plan: 65 min |
| KeepCalling | $0.249/min | $0.169/min | $18.99/mo plan: 90 min @ $0.211 |
| BubblyPhone | $0.67–0.82/min | $0.6665/min | Browser, iOS, Android |
| Google Voice | May not work | May not work | Sanctions may block Iran |
| AT&T / Verizon | $1.50–5.00/min | $1.50–5.00/min | Up to 30× more than Rebtel |
Rates verified May 2026 directly from each provider's public site. BubblyPhone Iran rate from /rates/iran; Rebtel from rebtel.com/en/rates/iran; KeepCalling from keepcalling.com.
Our honest take: Iran is one of the very few countries where BubblyPhone is NOT the cheapest option. Rebtel at $0.15–0.17/min and KeepCalling at $0.169–0.249/minare 4× cheaper than BubblyPhone's $0.67/min because they have negotiated dedicated Iran wholesale termination contracts. For sustained calling, choose Rebtel's $10/month plan (65 minutes) or KeepCalling's $18.99/month plan (90 minutes). BubblyPhone makes sense for Iran only when (a) you already have credit from calling other countries, (b) you need browser-only calling with no app install, (c) you want verified outbound caller ID, or (d) for a one-off short call where signing up for a third-party service isn't worth it.
How to Dial Iran from the US
# From a US phone:
011 + 98 + area code + number
# From a mobile (or VoIP app):
+98 + area code + number
# Example — calling a Tehran landline:
+98 21 1234 5678
# Example — calling an Iranian mobile:
+98 912 345 6789
# Example — calling Isfahan:
+98 31 1234 5678
Drop the leading 0: Iranians dial numbers starting with 0 locally (like 0912 345 6789). When calling from the US, drop the 0 and use +98 followed by the rest. Tehran area code is 21, Isfahan is 31.
Number Format
- Tehran: +98 21 + 8 digits
- Isfahan: +98 31 + 8 digits
- Mobiles: +98 9XX + 7 digits
- Drop the leading 0
- Country code: +98
Carriers & Mobile
- MCI: Largest carrier (state-owned)
- Irancell: Second carrier
- RighTel: Third carrier
- Time zone: UTC+3:30 (30-min offset!)
- WhatsApp: BLOCKED
Which Method Should You Use?
Calling family in Iran
During the 2026 blackout, app-based services on the Iran side aren't reachable. Use Rebtel ($0.17/min mobile) for the cheapest sustained option, or BubblyPhone ($0.67/min) for a one-off if you don't want to sign up elsewhere. The call lands on their cellular voice channel or landline, both of which still work despite the internet blackout.
Calling a business in Iran
Rebtel ($0.15/min landline) is the most reliable option. Persian (Farsi) is the primary language. Some business contacts speak English. Sanctions may affect some calling services — OFAC permits person-to-person voice calls under a general license, but commercial relationships may need separate authorisation.
Apps are blocked
Iran blocks most Western VoIP services. Traditional phone calls (Rebtel or BubblyPhone) are the most reliable way to reach Iran. Some contacts use VPNs for Telegram, but it's not guaranteed.
Tips for Calling Iran
- Iran is 8.5 hours ahead of EST (IRST, UTC+3:30 — note the unusual 30-minute offset). When it's 10 AM in New York, it's 6:30 PM in Tehran. Best window: 8-10 AM EST (4:30-6:30 PM Iran)
- WhatsApp is BLOCKED — do not rely on WhatsApp. Telegram partially works through VPNs. Eitaa and Rubika are the domestic alternatives
- Large Iranian-American community — over 1 million Iranian-Americans, concentrated in Los Angeles ("Tehrangeles"), New York, and Washington DC. Phone calls remain important for staying connected
- Sanctions complicate things — US sanctions mean some services don't work for Iran. Google Voice, PayPal, and other US services may block Iran-related transactions
- Friday is the weekend — Iran's weekend includes Friday (the Islamic holy day). Some businesses also close Thursdays. Business hours are Saturday-Wednesday
- Persian (Farsi) is the language — Farsi is the official language. English is spoken by educated Iranians but not universally
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I call Iran for free from the US?
Does WhatsApp work in Iran?
What is the country code for Iran?
What is the cheapest way to call an Iranian phone number?
Why does Iran have a 30-minute time zone offset?
Need to Call Iran Right Now?
Open BubblyPhone in your browser and dial +98. A 60-minute call costs $37.20.
Try Free — Call Iran NowIran rates from $0.6665/min (landlines) and $0.67–0.82/min (mobile). For sustained Iran calling, our blackout guide compares cheaper specialised services.