In the match, held in front of about 50,000 spectators in Tehran’s Azadi Stadium, Ali Abdollahzadeh scored an own goal in the 13th minute.
Esteghlal’s new signing Morteza Tabrizi extended the lead in the 28th minute and Farshid Esmaeili made it 3-0 in the 51st minute.
In Isfahan, Sepahan missed the chance to go top of the table after a 0-0 draw against Paykan.
Padideh edged past Sanat Naft 1-0 in Mashhad and Naft Masjed Soleyman and Foolad played out a goalless draw.
