Georges Leekens’s team edged past Padideh thanks to an Anthony Stokes’s header in the 21st minute.
Padideh was dominant in the second half but its strikers lacked the cutting edge.
Saipa also defeated Naft Masjed Soleyman 1-0 in the Iranian southwestern city of Masjed Soleyman.
Amir Hossein Hosseinzadeh scored a late winner for the visiting team.
Masjed Soleyman defender Mojtaba Bijan was sent off in the 53rd minute and Saipa Ghanaian defender Samuel Sarfo received a red card 13 minutes later.
With eight minutes remaining, Saipa was reduced to nine men after Omid Khaledi was shown his second yellow card.
Tractor Sazi provisionally moved to the top of the table with 43 points.
Persepolis sits second with 42 points and one game in hand.
Sepahan is third with 41 points and two games in hand.