Time in Iran

Iran operates on Iran Standard Time (IRST), which is set at UTC+3:30 year-round. This makes Iran one of a small handful of countries in the world that uses a half-hour offset from Coordinated Universal Time, placing it 30 minutes ahead of neighboring Saudi Arabia (UTC+3) and 30 minutes behind Afghanistan (UTC+4:30).

Until recently, Iran also observed Iran Daylight Time (IRDT, UTC+4:30) during the warmer months. However, in a significant policy change, the Iranian parliament permanently abolished daylight saving time starting from 2023. This means Iran now remains on IRST (UTC+3:30) for the entire calendar year, with no clock changes at any point.

The abolition of DST simplifies scheduling considerably. Before 2023, calculating the time in Iran required knowing whether the country was on IRST or IRDT. Now, the offset is always +3:30 — no seasonal checks needed. For the current time in Iran's capital, visit our time in Tehran page.

Because Iran no longer observes DST while the United States still does, the time gap between the two countries shifts twice a year — but only because of changes on the American side.

During US Standard Time (November – March):

During US Daylight Saving Time (March – November):

The half-hour component makes mental math a bit trickier than usual. For example, when it is 9:00 AM in New York (EST), the time in Iran is 5:30 PM — not a clean hour difference. Similarly, noon in Chicago translates to 9:30 PM in Tehran.

Hourly comparison (US EST vs Iran IRST):

The best window for calling Iran from the US East Coast is early morning (6:00–9:00 AM EST), which corresponds to 2:30–5:30 PM in Iran — solidly within business hours.

Iran's half-hour time zone is not an accident or administrative quirk — it reflects a deliberate geographic and astronomical decision. The UTC+3:30 offset was formally adopted in 1946 to more closely align the country's clocks with solar noon in Tehran, the capital city located at approximately 51.4°E longitude.

The logic is straightforward: Earth rotates 360° in 24 hours, meaning each 15° of longitude corresponds to one hour of solar time. Tehran's longitude of ~51.4°E would place its solar noon at roughly UTC+3:26 — much closer to +3:30 than to either +3:00 or +4:00. Rather than rounding to the nearest whole hour, Iran chose the more precise half-hour offset.

Iran is far from alone in using a non-standard offset, though such zones remain uncommon globally. Only about 10 countries or territories currently use half-hour or quarter-hour offsets:

Geographically, Iran sits between Saudi Arabia at UTC+3 to the west and the UAE and Oman at UTC+4 to the southeast. The +3:30 offset serves as a natural geographic compromise, reflecting Iran's position straddling these two whole-hour zones. It is worth noting that India's +5:30 offset was adopted for similar reasons — aligning clocks with the solar noon at Allahabad (now Prayagraj), the city chosen as the country's meridian reference point.

For decades, Iran maintained a daylight saving time schedule that shifted clocks forward by one hour during the warmer months, switching from IRST (UTC+3:30) to IRDT (UTC+4:30). Unlike the EU and North America, which use fixed calendar rules for DST transitions, Iran's DST dates varied from year to year, often tied to the Iranian Solar Hijri calendar rather than the Gregorian one.

DST transitions in Iran typically occurred near the spring equinox (around Nowruz, the Persian New Year on March 20–21) and ended in the early autumn. The exact dates were announced by the government, sometimes with relatively short notice.

Last few years of Iranian DST:

In late 2022, the Iranian parliament voted to abolish daylight saving time effective from the spring of 2023. The stated reasons included reducing energy costs associated with the clock change, minimizing disruption to daily routines, and simplifying timekeeping for businesses. Iran thus joined a growing list of countries that have abandoned seasonal clock changes in recent years.

For travelers and business professionals, this change is welcome news — there is now no ambiguity about Iran's offset. IRST at UTC+3:30 applies every day of every month, full stop.

Iran uses the Solar Hijri calendar (also called the Iranian calendar or Shamsi calendar) as its official civil calendar. Unlike the Gregorian calendar, the Solar Hijri year begins on Nowruz — the Persian New Year — which falls on or around March 20–21, coinciding with the vernal equinox. The year 1404 in the Solar Hijri calendar began on March 20, 2025.

The calendar has 12 months: the first six have 31 days, the next five have 30 days, and the final month has 29 days (30 in leap years). This structure makes it one of the most astronomically accurate calendars in use today.

Major Iranian cities and their significance:

• Tehran — The capital and largest city (population ~9 million city proper, 16+ million metro). Political, economic, and cultural center of Iran. Home to Golestan Palace, the Grand Bazaar, and the Milad Tower. See time in Tehran for live local time.
• Isfahan — Often called "half the world" (Nesf-e Jahan) for its stunning Islamic architecture. Naqsh-e Jahan Square is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Known for its blue-tiled mosques, bridges over the Zayandeh River, and bazaars.
• Shiraz — The city of poets, home to the tombs of Hafez and Saadi. Gateway to the ancient ruins of Persepolis. Famous for its gardens, including the Eram Garden (UNESCO site).

Key cultural dates and holidays:

Iranian workweek: Iran follows a Saturday-to-Wednesday workweek, with Thursday as a half-day and Friday as the weekly day of rest. This is different from both the Western Monday–Friday pattern and the Gulf Friday–Saturday weekend. Government offices and banks typically operate from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM, while private businesses may keep longer hours. Shopping bazaars often stay open until 9:00 or 10:00 PM.

Traveling to Iran requires planning, particularly for US passport holders. Here is essential practical information for visitors.

Main airports:

There are no direct flights between the United States and Iran. The most common connection routes include:

• Via Istanbul (IST) — Turkish Airlines, approximately 3.5 hours Istanbul to Tehran. Total JFK to Tehran: 12–14 hours.
• Via Doha (DOH) — Qatar Airways, approximately 2 hours Doha to Tehran. Total JFK to Tehran: 14–16 hours.
• Via Dubai (DXB) — Various carriers, approximately 2 hours Dubai to Tehran. Total JFK to Tehran: 15–17 hours.

Visa requirements: US, UK, and Canadian citizens must arrange a visa through an authorized travel agency and are required to travel with an approved guide. Citizens of many other countries can obtain a visa on arrival at IKA airport. Always check the latest entry requirements before booking.

Currency and payments: Iran uses the Iranian Rial (IRR). International credit and debit cards do not work in Iran due to sanctions — bring cash (euros or US dollars are most widely accepted for exchange). Local exchange offices are found throughout major cities.

Practical tips:

• Iran is 30 minutes ahead of Saudi Arabia and 30 minutes behind Dubai — helpful to know if connecting through either hub.
• Internet access is available but many Western services (Google, social media) are restricted. VPN usage is widespread.
• The local weekend (Friday) means museums and historical sites may have different hours compared to Western expectations.
• Check our World Clock to compare Iran time with your home city before scheduling calls or meetings.