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International dialing

How to call Iran from United States

  • Exit code 011
  • Country code +98
  • Drop the leading 0

Reviewed by Sujan ThapaliyaLast updated

Calling Iran from United States

Dial 011 (the United States exit code), then 98 (Iran’s country code), then the local number with its leading 0 removed. So +98 21 1234 5678 is dialled as 011 98 21 1234 5678. From a mobile you can dial +98 directly instead of 011.
Dialling Iran from United States: start with 011, the exit code for United States, then 98 for Iran, then the local number with its leading 0 dropped. The diagram shows those three blocks and the leading-zero rule that catches most people out.
The + shortcut on a mobile replaces the exit code entirely, which is why it works on any SIM in any country.

The dialing sequence

Exit code from United States
011
Iran country code
+98
Trunk prefix to remove
0
Domestic numbers start with 0; drop it from abroad.
Full sequence
011 + 98 + local number (drop the leading 0)
Time in Iran
IRST (UTC+3:30)
United States is on ET (UTC−5/−4).

Step by step

Dialing Iran from United States

Four steps, and the third one is where almost every failed call goes wrong.

  1. 1

    Dial 011: the exit code for United States

    011 tells the United States network that the call is leaving the country. On a mobile you can press and hold 0 to type a + instead, which works from any country and any SIM; it is the more reliable option when you travel.
  2. 2

    Dial 98: the country code for Iran

    98 is Iran's country calling code. It never changes and is the same no matter where you are calling from.
  3. 3

    Drop the leading 0 from the local number

    Numbers written for domestic use in Iran begin with 0. That digit is a national trunk prefix and is not part of the number. Remove it: +98 21 1234 5678 is dialled as 21 1234 5678 after the country code.
  4. 4

    Check the local time before you dial

    Iran is on IRST (UTC+3:30) and United States is on ET (UTC−5/−4). Work out the overlap before calling; the most common cause of an unanswered international business call is simply the hour.

Worked examples

What the number looks like at each stage

These are format patterns showing digit grouping, not working numbers.

Written in IranDialed from United States
Landline021 1234 5678011 98 21 1234 5678
Mobile+98 9XX XXX XXXX011 98 912 345 6789
From a mobile (+)n/a+98 912 345 6789

One thing about Iran

Iran is on a half-hour offset (UTC+3:30), and calls to Iran are subject to sanctions screening by most carriers.

Frequently asked questions

How do I call Iran from the United States?
Dial 011, then 98, then the local number with its leading 0 removed. For example, +98 21 1234 5678 is dialled as 011 98 21 1234 5678.
What is the country code for Iran?
+98. From United States you reach it by dialling 011 first, or by dialling + directly from a mobile.
Do I include the 0 when calling Iran?
No. The leading 0 is only used inside Iran. Including it from abroad is the most common reason the call fails to connect.
How do I call a Iran mobile from United States?
Exactly the same way as a landline: 011 + 98 + the mobile number without its leading 0. A Iran mobile in international format looks like +98 912 345 6789.
What is the time difference between United States and Iran?
United States is on ET (UTC−5/−4) and Iran is on IRST (UTC+3:30). Because several of these zones observe daylight saving on different dates, check the current offset rather than assuming a fixed gap.
Is it cheaper to call Iran over the internet?
Usually, yes. Carrier international rates are typically far above VoIP per-minute rates, and calling from an owned local number also means the person you are calling sees a number they can ring back.

Sources

  1. ITU-T Recommendation E.164 — The international public telecommunication numbering plan — International Telecommunication UnionThe international number format, the 15-digit maximum, and how country codes and national numbers compose.
  2. ITU-T International Numbering Resources — International Telecommunication UnionThe assignment of country calling codes and the published national numbering plans they belong to.

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