📍 Tehran · Islamic Republic of Iran · Capital City
Current Time in Tehran
Live NTP-synced clock · Time zone IRST UTC+3:30 permanent · No daylight saving time since Sept. 2022 · Seasonal time differences with London & New York calculated live · Interactive time converter
ℹ️ Iran no longer observes daylight saving time! Since 21 September 2022, Iran uses IRST UTC+3:30 permanently, all year long. However, the time difference with London, New York and European cities still varies seasonally — because those countries continue to observe DST. The current difference with London is +3h 30min in winter and +2h 30min in summer. The exact current difference is calculated dynamically below in real time.
Time Zone
IRST
UTC Offset
+03:30
vs. London
+3h 30min
DST
None (since 2022)
Tehran — the capital of Iran and one of the largest cities in Asia — operates on IRST (Iran Standard Time), with an offset of UTC+3:30 from Coordinated Universal Time. Unlike the UK, the US or European countries, Iran does not change its clocks — on 21 September 2022, the Iranian parliament permanently abolished daylight saving time, which it had observed intermittently since 1977. Iran is therefore fixed at UTC+3:30 all year round. The unusual 30-minute offset — instead of whole hours — makes Iran the only country in the world with the exact UTC+3:30 time zone. The clock on this page is NTP-synchronized and displays the precise current time in real time.
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Tehran time compared to major world cities
| City | Live time | Time zone | Difference vs Tehran |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇮🇷Tehran | --:-- | IRST UTC+3:30 | — |
| 🇬🇧London | --:-- | GMT/BST | — |
| 🇺🇸New York | --:-- | EST/EDT | — |
| 🇩🇪Berlin | --:-- | CET/CEST | — |
| 🇫🇷Paris | --:-- | CET/CEST | — |
| 🇺🇸Los Angeles | --:-- | PST/PDT | — |
| 🇷🇺Moscow | --:-- | MSK UTC+3 | — |
| 🇦🇪Dubai | --:-- | GST UTC+4 | — |
| 🇮🇳Mumbai | --:-- | IST UTC+5:30 | — |
| 🇨🇳Beijing | --:-- | CST UTC+8 | — |
| 🇯🇵Tokyo | --:-- | JST UTC+9 | — |
| 🇦🇺Sydney | --:-- | AEDT/AEST | — |
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Iran's time zone — IRST UTC+3:30 permanent since 2022
☀️ No DST — IRST UTC+3:30 permanent
✅ Current status (since Sept. 2022)
UTC+3:30
IRST — Iran Standard Time
Active permanently year-round. On 21 September 2022, the Iranian parliament enacted a law permanently abolishing daylight saving time. Iran is fixed at UTC+3:30 with no seasonal clock changes.
📜 Historical — Daylight saving (abolished)
UTC+4:30
IRDT — Iran Daylight Time (discontinued)
Observed in periods: 1977–1980, 1991–2005 and 2008–2022. Last transition: 21 September 2022. No longer in effect.
Time difference with major cities — varies seasonally
| ⛄ Winter — London at GMT (UTC+0) | +3h 30min |
| ☀️ Summer — London at BST (UTC+1) | +2h 30min |
| ⛄ Winter — New York at EST (UTC−5) | +8h 30min |
| ☀️ Summer — New York at EDT (UTC−4) | +7h 30min |
| 🟡 vs Moscow (UTC+3, no DST) | +0h 30min — permanent |
| 🟡 vs Dubai (UTC+4, no DST) | −0h 30min — permanent |
| 🟡 vs Istanbul (UTC+3, no DST) | +0h 30min — permanent |
| 🟡 vs Kabul (UTC+4:30, no DST) | −1h 00min — permanent |
🌍 Why does Iran have a 30-minute UTC offset? Iran Standard Time (UTC+3:30) was officially established in 1935 by Reza Shah Pahlavi. The offset corresponds to the 52.5°E meridian — Iran's official meridian, which also defines the Persian calendar. Tehran itself lies at 51.4°E, but the time zone is anchored to the deliberate choice of 52.5°E. Iran is the only country in the world with the exact UTC+3:30 offset. Other countries with non-integer offsets include India (UTC+5:30), Afghanistan (UTC+4:30), Nepal (UTC+5:45) and parts of Australia (UTC+9:30). The parliament voted to abolish DST on 21 September 2022, citing insufficient energy savings and incompatibility with biological rhythms during the month of Ramadan.
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Time zone converter — Tehran vs other cities
🇮🇷 Time in Tehran:
🇬🇧
London
05:30
🇩🇪
Berlin
06:30
🇫🇷
Paris
06:30
🇷🇺
Moscow
08:30
🇦🇪
Dubai
09:30
🇺🇸
New York
00:30
🇺🇸
Los Angeles
21:30
🇮🇳
Mumbai
11:00
🇨🇳
Beijing
13:30
🇯🇵
Tokyo
14:30
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Tehran — Geographic location and key facts
RegionWestern AsiaIran · Central Plateau · Foothills of the Alborz Mountains
GPS Coordinates35.6892°N51.3890°E · ~3,900 km from London by air
Elevation1,191 mabove sea level; highest nearby peak: Tochal (3,964 m)
Urban area730 km²Metropolitan area: ~2,200 km² including suburbs
ClimateBSk (Köppen)Cold semi-arid: hot dry summers 30–38°C, cool winters with snow 0–8°C
LandscapeMountains + DesertNorth: Alborz Mountains (snow year-round); South: Dasht-e Kavir central desert
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Population and administrative facts
| City population | ~9.5 million (2023) |
| Metropolitan area | ~15–17 million inhabitants |
| World ranking | Top 20 by urban population |
| Official language | Persian (Farsi) |
| Currency | Iranian Rial (IRR) · 1 USD ≈ 42,000 IRR |
| International dial code | +98 (21 Tehran) |
| Internet domain | .ir · ایران. |
| Official calendar | Solar Hijri (Jalali) + Gregorian |
| Predominant religion | Shia Islam (theocratic state) |
| Work week | Saturday–Wednesday (Thu–Fri weekend) |
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From a humble village to a megacity — Tehran's history
- Pre-1786Tehran was a modest village near the great city of Rey (Rhages), one of the most important centres of ancient Persia. Rey — mentioned in the Avesta and in Ptolemy's writings — was a regional capital, but was devastated by the Mongols under Genghis Khan in 1220. Tehran, sheltered in orchards at the foot of the Alborz, survived in obscurity for several centuries.
- 1786Agha Mohammad Khan Qajar united Iran and on 12 March 1786 established Tehran as the new capital of Persia — a strategic choice: the city was centrally positioned, close to the mountains for defence and near his northern power base. He was formally enthroned as Shah in 1789 and crowned in 1796. The Qajar dynasty transformed a small town into an imperial capital of palaces, bazaars and fortresses.
- 1925–1941Reza Shah Pahlavi seized power and launched a radical modernisation of Iran — and Tehran with it. Wide boulevards were cut through the medieval urban fabric; modernist buildings, universities and industries were built. In 1935, Iran's time zone was officially set at UTC+3:30 and the country's international name was changed from Persia to Iran.
- 1951–1953Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh nationalised the Iranian oil industry — a landmark political event that shook the world stage. Britain and the United States orchestrated the 1953 coup (Operation Ajax/Boot), toppling the Mosaddegh government and reinstating Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. These events continue to shape Iran–West relations to this day.
- 1979The Islamic Revolution — one of the most significant political events of the 20th century. Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini returned from exile and the Islamic Republic of Iran was proclaimed. In November, Iranian students seized the US Embassy and 52 American citizens (diplomats and consular staff) were held hostage for 444 days — the hostage crisis fundamentally reshaped US–Iran relations and influenced the 1980 US presidential election.
- 1980–1988The Iran–Iraq War — one of the most devastating conflicts of the post-war era: 8 years, hundreds of thousands of casualties, the use of chemical weapons by Iraq and ballistic missile strikes on Tehran. The city survived the bombardment but suffered enormously economically. After the war, Iran gradually resumed investment in the capital's infrastructure.
- TodayTehran is Iran's symbol of modernity: the cultural, economic, academic and administrative hub of a nation of 88 million people. The Milad Tower (435 m, the world's 6th tallest telecommunications tower, inaugurated 7 October 2008) dominates the skyline. Air pollution — among the worst in the world — is a major challenge for the ~17 million inhabitants of the metropolitan area. Relations with the West, international sanctions and the nuclear programme continue to define Iran on the world stage.
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Top attractions in Tehran
🏰
Golestan Palace ComplexUNESCO World Heritage Site — the imperial residence of the Qajar dynasty, comprising 17 historic royal buildings including throne rooms, gardens and unrivalled collections of oriental art. The Mirror Hall (Talar-e Aineh) is among the most spectacular imperial halls in the Islamic world.
💎
National Treasury — Crown JewelsConsidered the world's most valuable collection of royal jewellery: the Daria-i-Noor (Sea of Light) — the world's largest known pink diamond (~182 carats), the Globe of Jewels with 51,366 gemstones, and the Kiani Crown. Housed in the vaults of the Central Bank of Iran.
🗼
Azadi Tower (Freedom Tower)Tehran's iconic symbol — built in 1971 (originally named Shahyad Tower) to mark 2,500 years of the Persian Empire, designed by architect Hossein Amanat blending Sassanid, classical Persian and Islamic post-classical architecture. An underground museum beneath the tower covers Iranian history from antiquity. Exterior is free to visit.
🏛️
National Museum of IranTwo buildings: Iran Bastan Museum (prehistory to early Islam) and Doran-e Eslami Museum (Islamic era). Unique collection: 6,000-year-old pottery, Persepolis cuneiform tablets and Achaemenid coins — one of the most important collections of Iranian art in the world.
🛍️
Grand Bazaar of TehranOne of the largest covered bazaars in the world: 10 km of covered corridors with thousands of shops. Specialist sections for Persian carpets, spices, gold, copper and textiles. The commercial and spiritual heart of Tehran — an ancient trading hub dating back centuries.
🏔️
Tochal & Dizin — skiing 45 min from the capitalTochal (3,964 m) — ski resort accessible by gondola directly from north Tehran: ~45 minutes from the city base. Dizin (3,600 m, 75 km from Tehran) — Iran's most modern ski resort, 70 km of runs, operational November–May. Far cheaper than European ski resorts.
✈️ Airports and connections
| Airport | Code | Distance | Transport | Connections |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Imam Khomeini International Airport | IKA | 35 km SW | Metro Line 1 (IKA Airport City station); taxi: ~60 min | 🌍 Main international hub; flights to Istanbul, Dubai, Moscow, Frankfurt, Beijing. No direct flights to the UK or US (sanctions). |
| Mehrabad Airport | THR | 8 km west | Metro Line 4 (Mehrabad station); taxi: quick | ✈️ Domestic flights and a few regional routes. Hub for Iran Air and Mahan Air. Much closer to central Tehran. |
ℹ️ Note for travellers: Due to international sanctions and strained diplomatic relations, there are no regular direct flights between Iran and most Western countries. Common routes: London → Istanbul (Turkish Airlines) → Tehran, or London → Dubai → Tehran. Always check your government's latest travel advisories before planning any trip to Iran.
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Persian cuisine — one of the world's great food traditions
National dishChelo KababFluffy white rice (chelo) served with grilled lamb or chicken skewers over charcoal, with melted butter and sumac. The ritual: mixing a raw egg yolk with the butter directly on the rice. Found in every restaurant, from street stalls to fine dining.
Rice dishesGhormeh Sabzi & FesenjanGhormeh sabzi — rich herb stew of fenugreek, parsley and leek with kidney beans and lamb, slow-cooked for 3–4 hours. Fesenjan — chicken or duck in a pomegranate and walnut sauce — sweet-sour and uniquely Persian. Both served on saffron rice.
Traditional soupAsh ReshtehThick Persian noodle soup for Nowruz (New Year) with vegetables, chickpeas, lentils and black-eyed peas — topped with kashk (whey), fried mint and caramelised onions. Considered lucky and is served at celebrations and holidays throughout the year.
Persian flatbreadsLavash, Sangak, BarbariLavash — thin flatbread baked on hot stones (UNESCO heritage); Sangak — thick wholegrain bread baked on pebbles in a traditional oven; Barbari — elongated loaf brushed with sesame paste. Bought fresh at dawn from neighbourhood bakeries.
National drinkChai (Persian Tea)Iran is among the world's highest per-capita tea consumers — strong black tea served in small glass cups with rock sugar (nabat) or sugar cubes held under the tongue (qand). Traditional teahouses (chaikhane) are the main social gathering place for Iranian men.
Persian sweetsBaklava & GazGaz — Persian nougat from Isfahan with pistachios and rosewater — exported worldwide. Iranian baklava — with Iranian pistachios and saffron, distinct from Turkish versions. Zulbia & Bamiyeh — deep-fried dough in rosewater syrup, traditional during Ramadan.
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Practical information for visitors to Tehran
| 🛂 Entry requirements | Most nationalities require a visa. Options include: visa on arrival at IKA (subject to prior approval via eVisa), e-Visa via Iran's MFA portal, or a visa from the Iranian embassy. US, UK and Canadian citizens are not permitted visa on arrival — they must obtain a visa in advance through the Iranian embassy or MFA portal, subject to additional scrutiny. Israeli passport holders cannot enter Iran. Dual nationals of the US, UK or Canada face particularly significant restrictions. Always check your government's current travel advisory before booking. |
| 💱 Currency | Iranian Rial (IRR) — but prices are commonly quoted in Tomans (1 Toman = 10 Rials). International cards do not work in Iran due to SWIFT sanctions. Cash (USD or EUR) is essential; exchange at arrival or at private exchange offices (far better rates than banks). |
| 🔌 Electricity | 220V / 50Hz — Type C and F sockets (standard European two-pin round plugs). European appliances work without an adapter. UK appliances (Type G, three-pin) need a socket adapter. US appliances need both a voltage converter and a socket adapter. |
| 📱 Internet & social media | The internet is heavily censored: Instagram, Twitter/X, Facebook, YouTube and WhatsApp are blocked. VPNs are technically illegal but widely used. Telegram is semi-official — used by both authorities and the population alike. |
| 🧕 Dress code | Mandatory: women must wear a hijab (headscarf) in public, including foreign visitors. Clothing must cover arms and legs for both sexes. Tight or transparent clothing is prohibited. Penalties for non-compliance can be severe. |
| 🚨 Emergency numbers | 115 (Medical emergency) · 110 (Police) · 125 (Fire service) · Check your embassy's local contact before travelling |
| 🌡️ Average temperatures | Spring/Autumn (Mar–May, Sep–Nov): 15–25°C — ideal season. Summer (Jun–Aug): 32–40°C, dry. Winter (Dec–Feb): 0–10°C, possible snow. The 1,200 m elevation moderates temperatures compared to lower-lying cities. |
| ⚠️ Work week | Iran works Saturday to Wednesday; Thursday is a half-day for public offices; Friday is the Islamic day of rest (full day off). Overlap with Western working days: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday only. |
| ⚠️ Diplomatic situation | Many Western governments issue travel warnings related to regional tensions, arbitrary detention risks and unpredictable geopolitical developments. International sanctions affect access to banking and health insurance for visitors. Check your government's latest advisory before travel. |
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Frequently asked questions — Tehran time and Iran's IRST UTC+3:30
Tehran and all of Iran use IRST (Iran Standard Time, UTC+3:30) permanently, all year round. Iran historically observed daylight saving time (IRDT, UTC+4:30) during several periods — most recently between 2008 and September 2022 — but on 21 September 2022 the Iranian parliament enacted a law permanently abolishing DST. Since that date, Iran is fixed at UTC+3:30 with no seasonal clock changes. The 30-minute offset makes Iran the only country in the world using exactly UTC+3:30.
Tehran is permanently at UTC+3:30. London changes its clocks: GMT (UTC+0) in winter, BST (UTC+1) in summer. Therefore: in winter (last Sunday of October to last Sunday of March), Tehran is 3 hours 30 minutes ahead of London. In summer (last Sunday of March to last Sunday of October), the difference narrows to 2 hours 30 minutes. The clock and table on this page calculate the exact current difference in real time.
No, not since September 2022. Iran observed DST in several historical periods (1977–1980, 1991–2005, 2008–2022), but on 21 September 2022 the Iranian parliament passed a law permanently abolishing daylight saving time. Iran now uses IRST UTC+3:30 year-round with no seasonal clock changes whatsoever.
Iran Standard Time (UTC+3:30) was officially established in 1935 by Reza Shah Pahlavi. The offset corresponds to the 52.5°E meridian — Iran's official meridian, which also underpins the Persian solar calendar. Iran is the only country in the world with the exact UTC+3:30 offset. Other countries using non-integer offsets include India (UTC+5:30), Afghanistan (UTC+4:30), Nepal (UTC+5:45) and South Australia (UTC+9:30).
Tehran is permanently at UTC+3:30. New York uses EST (UTC−5) in winter and EDT (UTC−4) in summer. Therefore: in winter, Tehran is 8 hours 30 minutes ahead of New York. In summer, the difference narrows to 7 hours 30 minutes. If it is 9:00 am in New York (EST), it is 5:30 pm in Tehran. The interactive converter on this page calculates any given Tehran time automatically.
Tehran office hours are typically Saturday–Wednesday 08:00–17:00 IRST. Iran's working days overlap with Western Monday–Wednesday only. Best window for a London–Tehran call (winter): London 06:30–13:30 = Tehran 10:00–17:00. Best window (summer): London 07:30–14:30 = Tehran 10:00–17:00. For New York–Tehran (winter): New York 00:30–09:00 = Tehran 09:00–17:30 — meaning early morning New York time aligns with Tehran office hours. The time converter on this page makes the calculation automatic.
Nowruz (نوروز, "New Day" in Persian) is the Persian New Year, coinciding with the astronomical moment of the spring equinox. It falls on 20 or 21 March each year, with the exact hour varying annually based on the precise moment of the equinox. It is celebrated by Iranian families at the exact moment — whatever hour of day or night that happens to be. Since Iran abolished DST in 2022, clocks no longer advance at Nowruz as they once did.
The best seasons are spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November), with temperatures of 15–25°C and clear skies. Spring coincides with Nowruz (Persian New Year) — a remarkable cultural experience, though popular sites will be crowded and accommodation pricier. Summer (June–August) is extremely hot (38–40°C) and heavily polluted — best avoided. Winter (December–February) brings temperatures near 0°C and possible snow, ideal for skiing at Tochal or Dizin resorts, both within 45–75 minutes of the city centre. Regardless of season, check your government's latest travel advisory for Iran before booking.