In the match, held at the Istiqlol Stadium in Fergana, Uzbekistan, Mohammad Hazbavi found the back of the net from the penalty spot in the 63rd minute.
The win gave three-time winner Iran a head start in the race to advance to the quarterfinals.
Earlier in the day, Vietnam defeated Australia 1-0 in the group.
Iran will meet Australia next on Saturday, while Qatar will have to defeat Vietnam to keep its hopes alive.
Sixteen teams are competing in the tournament, namely Uzbekistan, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Japan, Jordan, South Korea, Indonesia, Oman, Tajikistan, Australia, Vietnam, Kyrgyzstan, China, Iraq, and Syria.