Iran Country Code (+98): Complete Guide
Complete guide to Iran country code +98. Learn how to dial Iran from abroad, understand area codes, mobile formats, and save money on international calls.
Iran Country Code (+98): Complete Guide
Quick Answer
The Iran country code is +98. Whether you're calling from the United States, Europe, Asia, or anywhere else in the world, you'll need to dial +98 before the Iran phone number to connect.
This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about calling Iran: how to dial correctly, understanding area codes, mobile number formats, carrier information, and the cheapest ways to make international calls to Iran.
How to Dial Iran from Abroad
International Dialing Format
[Exit Code] + 98 + (Area Code) + Phone NumberStep 1: Dial Your Country's Exit Code
- Most countries: 00
- From USA/Canada: 011
- From mobile phones: + (plus sign) - works worldwide
Step 2: Dial "98" (Iran Country Code)
After your exit code, always dial 98 for Iran
Step 3: Dial the Area Code & Local Number
Remember to drop the leading '0' from area codes when dialing from abroad. Inside Iran, landline numbers are dialed as 0 + area code + local number, but internationally the leading 0 is always omitted.
📞 Example: Calling Tehran
🇺🇸 From USA:
011 + 98 + 21 + local numberUS exit code (011) + Iran code (98)
📱 From Any Mobile:
+98 + 21 + local numberUse + instead of exit code (works everywhere)
Major Iran Area Codes
| Area Code | City / Region |
|---|---|
| 21 | Tehran (capital) |
| 31 | Isfahan |
| 71 | Shiraz (Fars province) |
| 41 | Tabriz (East Azerbaijan) |
| 51 | Mashhad (Khorasan Razavi) |
| 61 | Ahvaz (Khuzestan) |
| 34 | Kerman |
| 13 | Rasht (Gilan province) |
| 81 | Hamadan |
| 25 | Qom |
| 83 | Kermanshah |
| 35 | Yazd |
Mobile Numbers in Iran
📱 Iran Mobile Number Format
Iranian mobile numbers have 11 digits when dialed domestically (starting with 0) or 10 digits after the country code. The format is:
+98 9XX XXX XXXXDomestically: 09XX XXX XXXX (11 digits total). Drop the leading 0 when dialing from abroad.
Mobile Carriers in Iran
Iran has three mobile network operators. Understanding which carrier a number belongs to can help you estimate call costs, since rates sometimes differ by network.
| Carrier | Market Share | Mobile Prefixes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| MCI (Hamrah-e Aval) | ~50% | 091X, 0990 | State-owned, largest network. Best rural coverage across all provinces. |
| Irancell (MTN) | ~45% | 093X, 0901-0903 | Joint venture with MTN Group (South Africa). Strong in urban areas and popular with younger users. |
| RighTel | ~5% | 0921, 0922 | Smallest carrier. 3G/4G data-focused. Limited coverage outside major cities. |
Special & Emergency Numbers in Iran
| Number | Service |
|---|---|
| 110 | Police |
| 115 | Ambulance / Emergency Medical Services |
| 125 | Fire Department |
| 112 | Unified Emergency Number (works from mobile phones) |
| 118 | Directory Enquiries |
Toll-Free & Premium Numbers
- Toll-free numbers in Iran are not standardized the way they are in North America. Government services and some banks use short codes (4-5 digits) that are free to call domestically.
- Premium-rate prefixes: Numbers starting with
0900are value-added / premium-rate services. These are not reachable from outside Iran.
Best Times to Call Iran
Iran uses Iran Standard Time (IRST, UTC+3:30), one of the few countries with a half-hour offset. Iran also observes daylight saving time (Iran Daylight Time, IRDT, UTC+4:30) roughly from late March to late September.
From the USA (EST/EDT)
Iran is 8.5 hours ahead of US Eastern Time (7.5 hours during daylight saving). If it is 9:00 AM in New York, it is 5:30 PM in Tehran. Best window: 7:00 AM - 10:00 AM ET (3:30 PM - 6:30 PM in Iran).
From the UK (GMT/BST)
Iran is 3.5 hours ahead of the UK (both countries observe DST). If it is 12:00 PM in London, it is 3:30 PM in Tehran. Best window: 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM UK time (3:30 PM - 9:30 PM in Iran).
Iran's weekend is Thursday afternoon and Friday (not Saturday-Sunday). Government offices and many businesses close on Fridays. Best days to call businesses are Saturday through Wednesday.
Country Information
Troubleshooting: Common Issues Calling Iran
1. "The number you dialed is not valid"
The most common mistake is forgetting to drop the leading "0" from the Iranian number. Inside Iran, you dial 021-XXXX-XXXX for Tehran, but internationally it must be +98 21-XXXX-XXXX (no zero). The same applies to mobile numbers: domestically 0912-XXX-XXXX becomes +98 912-XXX-XXXX abroad.
2. VoIP Services Are Often Blocked or Restricted
Iran's telecommunications regulator periodically blocks or throttles VoIP traffic. Services like Skype, Google Voice, and FaceTime audio may not connect reliably to Iranian numbers. BubblyPhone routes calls through the PSTN telephone network (not app-to-app), so your call reaches the recipient's actual phone number regardless of internet restrictions inside Iran.
3. Internet Filtering Affects WhatsApp & Telegram Calling
While Telegram and WhatsApp are widely used in Iran for messaging, the voice and video call features are frequently filtered. Users inside Iran may need a VPN to make or receive app-based calls. If your contact cannot use a VPN, calling their phone number directly with a service like BubblyPhone is the most reliable option.
4. Sanctions May Affect Some Calling Services
Due to US and international sanctions on Iran, some American telecom companies restrict or do not support calls to Iran. If your carrier declines the call, try using an independent calling service. BubblyPhone supports calls to Iran at $0.05/min with no restrictions.
5. Call Drops or Poor Audio Quality
International calls to Iran sometimes pass through congested gateways. If you experience choppy audio or dropped calls, try calling during off-peak hours (early morning Iran time) or switch to a VoIP-based calling service with dedicated routes to Iran for better quality.
Cheapest Ways to Call Iran
1. BubblyPhone
Rate: $0.05/min to Iran
Best For: Calling any Iran number (business, landline, mobile)
- ✓No subscription - pay only for minutes used
- ✓Works from browser on any device (no app needed)
- ✓Crystal-clear HD call quality
- ✓Not affected by Iran's VoIP blocks - calls go through PSTN
2. Telegram, WhatsApp, Rubika
Rate: FREE
Best For: Calling friends and family who have the app
- ✓Free voice and video calls
- ✗Both parties need the app installed
- ✗Cannot call landlines or businesses
- ✗Voice/video calls are frequently filtered inside Iran
⚠️ Warning: Using your regular phone carrier to call Iran can cost $1-5 per minute! Save up to 99% by using BubblyPhone instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Iran country code?
The Iran country code is +98. You must dial this code before any Iran phone number when calling from abroad.
How do I call Iran from my mobile phone?
From any mobile phone worldwide, dial: +98 (area code) (phone number). The + symbol replaces your country's exit code.
What's the cheapest way to call Iran?
For calling any Iran number, BubblyPhone at $0.05/min is the cheapest option. For free calls, use Telegram, WhatsApp, Rubika if both parties have the app installed.
What time zone is Iran in?
Iran uses Iran Standard Time (IRST, UTC+3:30). Iran is one of the few countries with a half-hour offset. It also observes daylight saving time (UTC+4:30) from late March to late September.
Can I use WhatsApp to call Iran?
WhatsApp messaging works in Iran, but WhatsApp voice and video calls are frequently filtered by Iranian internet authorities. Your contact inside Iran may need a VPN to receive WhatsApp calls. For a reliable connection, use BubblyPhone to call their actual phone number directly.
Why can't I reach Iran on VoIP?
Iran restricts many VoIP services at the network level. Services like Skype, Google Voice, and FaceTime may be blocked or severely throttled. BubblyPhone works because it routes calls through the traditional phone network (PSTN), not over the internet to the recipient's device. The call arrives as a normal phone call in Iran.
What are the emergency numbers in Iran?
The main emergency numbers in Iran are: 110 (Police), 115 (Ambulance), 125 (Fire Department), and 112 (unified emergency number from mobile phones). These numbers are free to dial from any phone inside Iran.
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