The draw saw Foolad and Al-Nassr move up to five points, with the Saudis ahead on goal difference. Qatar's Al-Sadd climbed to four points after defeating Al-Wehdat of Jordan 3-1 in the other Group D tie on Tuesday.
Both sides opened the match at the King Saud University Stadium brightly but all eyes were on Al Nassr goalkeeper Waleed Abdullah, who replaced Brad Jones after the Australian tested positive for COVID-19.
Foolad’s Mohammad Miri had come on in the second half and the substitute made an impact within six minutes of being on the pitch when his cross - which was intended for Mehran Mousavi - saw Al-Nassr’s Abdulelah Alamari slot in an own goal to break the deadlock.
The Saudi giant was, however, unfazed and continued pressing and its persistence was rewarded in the 69th minute when a string of passes led to Brazilian Petros Araujo finishing the move.
Buoyed by their equalizer, Al-Nassr pressed forward in search of a winner with Abdulfattah Asiri coming closest in the 80th minute, but Foolad held strong as the two sides settled for a draw.
The two will meet again on Friday, with Foolad aiming to do better if it is to overtake Al-Nassr in the standings.