How to Address an International Letter to Iran

Addressing a letter to Iran follows a structured format that includes a ten-digit postal code to ensure accurate and timely delivery. Iran’s postal system covers urban, rural, and remote areas. Post Office Boxes (P.O. Box) are also widely used, especially in larger cities. This guide provides the correct formats for residential, business, rural, PO Box, and military addresses, along with special considerations for government offices, NGOs, and courier services.

Standard Address Format in Iran

The typical format for addressing a letter to Iran includes the following elements:

1. Recipient Name: The full name of the person or business receiving the letter.
2. Street Address or PO Box (P.O. Box): The recipient’s street address or Post Office Box number.
3. District and City: The district and city where the recipient resides.
4. Postal Code: The ten-digit postal code for the address.
5. Province: The province where the recipient resides.
6. Country: Always include “IRAN” in capital letters on the last line for international mail.

Detailed Format Breakdown

1. Recipient Name
   The recipient’s full name should be written on the first line. For business addresses, include the company name first, followed by the recipient’s name or department.

   Example:
   Ali Rezaei
   or
   ABC Co.
   Attn: Ali Rezaei

2. Street Address or PO Box (P.O. Box)
   Provide the street name and house/building number for residential or business addresses. If the recipient uses a Post Office Box, write “P.O. Box” followed by the box number.

   Example:
   12 Azadi Street
   or
   P.O. Box 456

3. District and City
   Include the district and the city where the recipient resides. Major cities in Iran include Tehran (the capital), Isfahan, and Mashhad.

   Example:
   District 3
   Tehran

4. Postal Code
   Iran uses a ten-digit postal code system. Be sure to include the correct postal code for accurate mail routing.

   Example:
   1234567890 Tehran
   or
   6789012345 Isfahan

5. Province
   Include the name of the province where the recipient resides.

   Example:
   Tehran Province
   or
   Isfahan Province

6. Country Name
   For international mail, always write “IRAN” in capital letters on the last line.

   Example:
   IRAN

Residential Address Format

For residential addresses, include the recipient’s name, street address or PO Box, district and city, postal code, province, and country.

Example:
Ali Rezaei
12 Azadi Street
District 3
1234567890 Tehran
Tehran Province
IRAN

Business Address Format

For business addresses, include the company name on the first line, followed by the recipient’s name or department. The rest of the address follows the standard format.

Example:
ABC Co.
Attn: Ali Rezaei
12 Azadi Street
District 3
1234567890 Tehran
Tehran Province
IRAN

PO Box Address Format

For letters sent to a Post Office Box, replace the street address with “P.O. Box” followed by the appropriate box number.

Example:
Ali Rezaei
P.O. Box 123
1234567890 Isfahan
Isfahan Province
IRAN

Rural Address Format

In rural areas where formal street names may not exist, include the name of the village or settlement, followed by the nearest larger town, postal code, province, and country.

Example:
Hossein Gholami
Village of Shahrak
Near Shiraz
2345678901 Shiraz
Fars Province
IRAN

Military Address Format

For military personnel stationed in Iran, mail generally follows the civilian postal system, with specific unit or base information if necessary.

Example:
Rank and Full Name
Military Unit 123
P.O. Box 456
1234567890 Tehran
Tehran Province
IRAN

Government Office Address

For mail addressed to government offices in Iran, include the name of the office or department before the street address or PO Box.

Example:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
30 Imam Khomeini Street
District 12
1234567890 Tehran
Tehran Province
IRAN

International Addressing for NGOs and Organizations

For international organizations or NGOs operating in Iran, include the organization’s name and specific department.

Example:
UNICEF Iran
Attn: Program Services
12 Azadi Street
District 3
1234567890 Tehran
Tehran Province
IRAN

Addressing for Courier vs. Postal Services

When using courier services such as DHL or FedEx, include additional contact details such as phone numbers, as couriers may require specific delivery instructions, particularly in rural or less accessible areas.

Example (Courier):
Ali Rezaei
12 Azadi Street
District 3
1234567890 Tehran
Tehran Province
IRAN
Phone: +98 21 1234 5678

Addressing for Multiple Recipients

When addressing a letter to multiple recipients at the same address, list the names on separate lines.

Example (Family):
The Rezaei Family
P.O. Box 789
1234567890 Tehran
Tehran Province
IRAN

Example (Business Department):
ABC Co.
Attn: Finance Department
P.O. Box 789
1234567890 Tehran
Tehran Province
IRAN

Special Considerations

• Postal Codes: Iran uses a ten-digit postal code system for accurate mail routing. Always ensure the correct postal code is included.

• Rural Addressing: In rural areas where street names are less common, use the village name and the nearest larger town for proper delivery.

• Language: Persian (Farsi) is the official language of Iran, but English is also widely used for addressing international mail.

Commonly Accepted Abbreviations

• P.O. Box for Post Office Box
• St. for Street (Shahr in Persian)
• No. for Number (House or Building Number)

Key Tips for Formatting

• Capitalization: Write the address in capital letters for clarity and legibility.
• Left Alignment: Ensure that all lines of the address are left-aligned for ease of reading and postal processing.
• Phone Number for Couriers: Providing a contact phone number is recommended for courier services, especially for rural or less accessible areas.
• Postal Code Usage: Always include the ten-digit postal code to ensure timely and accurate delivery.