Area Code 61 – Khuzestan

Overview of Area Code +98 61

Area code 61 is the National Destination Code (NDC) for the province of Khuzestan in southwestern Iran. This geographic code is assigned under the country calling code +98 and is used for fixed-line (PSTN) services within the province. The code covers the provincial capital Ahvaz as well as other major cities and towns, including Abadan, Khorramshahr, Dezful, Shushtar, Masjed Soleyman, and Bandar Mahshahr. As a geographic code, it routes calls to a specific physical location, and the tariff structure is typically based on the distance between the caller and the destination.

Dialing Formats

When dialing a Khuzestan fixed-line number from within Iran, you must include the trunk prefix 0 followed by the area code and the subscriber number. For example, a local number in Ahvaz might be dialed as:

• 0 61 3 123 4567 (domestic format)

From outside Iran, you would dial the international access code (e.g., 00 from most countries), then Iran's country code 98, followed by the area code without the leading zero, and then the subscriber number:

• +98 61 3 123 4567 (international format)

Note that the total number of digits after the country code is typically 10 (including the area code), but this can vary depending on the specific numbering plan in the region.

Geographic Coverage and Administration

Khuzestan is one of Iran's largest provinces and a major hub for the country's oil and gas industry. The area code 61 is administered by the Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) of Iran, which oversees the national numbering plan. The province is divided into several telephone districts, each with its own local exchange prefixes. For instance, Ahvaz numbers often begin with 3 after the area code, while Abadan numbers may use 5 or other prefixes. These sub-prefixes help route calls to the correct exchange within the province.

Overlay and Numbering Changes

As of the latest updates, there is no overlay code for Khuzestan; the area code 61 remains the sole geographic code for the province. However, due to the increasing demand for fixed-line services, the CRA has implemented number expansion measures in some areas, adding digits to subscriber numbers to ensure sufficient capacity. Always verify the current number length when dialing, as older shorter numbers may have been migrated.

Caller Instructions

For callers within Iran, simply dial 0 61 followed by the local number. For international callers, dial your country's exit code, then 98, then 61, and the local number (omitting the initial 0). It is important to note that while mobile numbers in Iran use separate prefixes (e.g., 0910, 0935), area code 61 is exclusively for fixed lines. If you are unsure whether a number is fixed or mobile, you can check the prefix: any number starting with +98 61 is a fixed-line service in Khuzestan.