Cheap Calls to Iran — From $0.6200/min
Country code: +98
Landline
BEST VALUE10 min call = $6.20
Mobile
10 min call = $6.20
Call from your browser, or download our iOS / Android app
How Much Does a Call to Iran Cost?
Quick reference at our base rate of $0.6200/min:
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Start with as little as $5. Top up more and get bonus credit — stretch your calls to Iran even further.
Rate Breakdown — Iran
Rates vary by carrier and line type. Here's exactly what you'll pay per minute, broken down by destination type.
Rates are per minute, billed per second. No connection fees. Updated regularly from our carrier.
How to Dial Iran from the US
Dial your country's international exit code (011 from the US/Canada, 00 from Europe, or just use + on a mobile)
Dial 98 — Iran's country code
Dial the area code (e.g., 21 for Tehran, 511 for Mashhad) followed by the subscriber number — drop the leading 0 used in domestic dialing
Number Format Examples
Landline (Tehran): +98 21 XXXX XXXX
Landline (Isfahan): +98 31 XXXX XXXX
Mobile: +98 9XX XXX XXXX
From US landline: 011 98 21 XXXX XXXX
Common Mistakes
- Drop the leading 0 — Iranian domestic numbers start with 0 (e.g., 021 for Tehran), but from abroad you dial 98 21 directly.
- Mobile numbers always start with 9 after the country code — the full format is +98 9XX XXX XXXX (11 digits total including country code).
- Iran has 2-digit area codes for major cities (Tehran 21, Isfahan 31, Shiraz 71, Tabriz 41, Mashhad 511) and 3-digit codes for smaller cities.
- VoIP services can be unreliable for Iran due to internet filtering. BubblyPhone routes through international telephone networks, not internet-to-internet, so call quality stays consistent.
What You Actually Pay — Iran Rate Comparison
Most services advertise a low rate but tack on connection fees, monthly minimums, or round up to 3-minute blocks. Here's a transparent comparison.
Call Iran from Any Device
Web Browser
No downloads needed. Open Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Edge and start calling instantly.
iOS App
Native iPhone app with one-tap dialing, contact sync, and push notifications.
Android App
Native Android app with the same seamless experience. Your account syncs across all devices.
All platforms share the same account, balance, and call history. Start a call on your laptop, next time dial from your phone — it just works.
AI Call Transcription & Summary
Full Transcription
Every word of your call to Iran, transcribed by AI into readable text. Available in your call history immediately after the call ends.
AI Summary
Get an AI-generated summary of key points from your conversation. Perfect for business calls or remembering important details.
Best Time to Call Iran
Tehran
11:35 PM
Fri, Mar 20
Mashhad
11:35 PM
Fri, Mar 20
Isfahan
11:35 PM
Fri, Mar 20
Shiraz
11:35 PM
Fri, Mar 20
Tabriz
11:35 PM
Fri, Mar 20
Time zone: IRST (UTC+3:30)
From EST: IRST is 8.5 hours ahead of US Eastern (7.5 hours ahead during EDT)
From CST: IRST is 9.5 hours ahead of US Central
From PST: IRST is 11.5 hours ahead of US Pacific
Iran is UTC+3:30 with a 30-minute offset that catches people off guard. Aim for evening hours in Iran (6:30–9:30 PM IRST) when people are home. From the US East Coast, that's 10 AM–1 PM. From the West Coast, that's 7–10 AM.
Calling Iran — Things to Know
- WhatsApp is widely used in Iran despite government restrictions. Many Iranians use VPNs to access it. However, WhatsApp calls rely on internet quality which can be throttled — phone calls via BubblyPhone route through telephone networks and are more reliable.
- Telegram is extremely popular in Iran — over 40 million users at its peak. While the app was officially blocked, many use it via VPN. For text messaging, Telegram is often the primary channel.
- Iran's internet is frequently throttled or filtered, especially during political events. This means WhatsApp and Telegram voice calls can be choppy or disconnected. Traditional phone calls remain the most reliable way to reach someone.
- Iran uses a 30-minute time zone offset (UTC+3:30), which is unusual. Iran also observes its own daylight saving time schedule based on the Persian calendar, which doesn't align with US/European DST.
- Friday is the weekly day off in Iran (not Saturday/Sunday). The Iranian weekend is Thursday–Friday. Keep this in mind when calling for business purposes.
- The Iranian New Year (Nowruz) starts on March 20/21 and celebrations last about two weeks. Phone lines can be busy during this period.
- BubblyPhone offers AI transcription for $0.01/min extra — useful for calls in Farsi when you want a written record of the conversation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest way to call Iran from the US?
BubblyPhone starts at $0.05/min with no monthly fees. Google Voice charges $0.10/min with a $10 minimum prepay. Carrier rates from AT&T and Verizon are $0.55/min without a plan — over 10x more expensive than BubblyPhone.
How much does a 10-minute call to Iran cost?
With BubblyPhone, about $0.50. With Google Voice, $1.00. With AT&T or Verizon without a plan, $5.50. BubblyPhone bills per second, so you never pay for unused minutes.
Can I call Iranian mobile numbers?
Yes. Iranian mobile numbers start with 9 after the country code (+98 9XX XXX XXXX). Major carriers include MCI (Hamrahe Aval), Irancell (MTN), and Rightel. Mobile and landline rates may differ — check the breakdown table above.
Why is calling Iran so expensive with AT&T and Verizon?
US carriers charge premium rates for Iran because it's a sanctioned country with limited telecom interconnection. Iran is excluded from most unlimited international calling add-ons. BubblyPhone routes through authorized international carriers at much lower wholesale rates.
Does WhatsApp calling work to Iran?
Sometimes. WhatsApp is officially available in Iran but internet speeds are frequently throttled by the government, causing poor call quality. During political events, internet shutdowns can block all VoIP services. Phone calls through BubblyPhone use telephone networks, not internet, so they work regardless of Iran's internet conditions.
What time should I call Iran?
Iran is UTC+3:30 (note the 30-minute offset). Evening in Iran (6:30–9:30 PM) translates to 10 AM–1 PM US Eastern, 7–10 AM US Pacific. Remember that Friday is the Iranian weekend, not Sunday.
Are there sanctions that affect calling Iran?
US sanctions restrict certain financial transactions with Iran but do not prohibit personal phone calls. BubblyPhone operates through authorized international telecom carriers and complies with all applicable regulations. You can freely call family and friends in Iran.
Do I need to download an app to call Iran?
No. BubblyPhone works directly in your web browser — Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Edge. We also have native iOS and Android apps if you prefer. All platforms share the same account and balance.
What is Iran's country code?
Iran's country code is +98. To call from the US, dial 011 + 98 + area code + number. From a mobile phone anywhere in the world, dial +98 followed by the number (drop the leading 0).
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