Younes Shakeri headed home a dramatic late winner in Mashhad’s Emam Reza Stadium.
Foolad also edged past Machine Sazi in Tabriz thanks to Japanese midfielder Takafumi Akahoshi’s header in the 34th minute.
Padideh sits fifth in the table with 42 points, three points adrift of leader Persepolis.
Foolad is sixth in the table with 29 points.
On Saturday, Persepolis will meet Esteghlal in Tehran’s Azadi Stadium and Tractor Sazi play Esteghlal Khuzestan in Ahvaz.