Saber Kazemi earned 14 points for Iran, while Italy’s Tommaso Rinaldi scored 15 points.
Iran, who has previously lost to Germany, Ukraine and the Czech Republic and defeated Qatar, is to face Brazil and Cuba on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.
The world's top 24 nations in men's volleyball are competing at the FIVB Road to Paris Olympic Volleyball Qualifying Tournament (OQT).
The cities of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Tokyo (Japan) and Xi'an (The People’s Republic of China) will host the qualifying event from 30 September until 8 October 2023.
The teams are in three groups of eight, with the top two in each pool at the end of the tournament qualifying for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.