Mehdi Limoochi scored the solitary goal of the match in the 41st minute at the Ghadir Stadium in Ahvaz.
Esteghlal also beat Havadar 2-1 in Tehran’s Shahr-e Qods Stadium. Raphael Silva was on target with a header in the 17th minute and and Meysam Tohidast scored an own goal just before the break.
Mehdi Goodarzi scored a consolation goal in the added time.
Earlier in the day, Persepolis defeated Chadormalu 1-0, thanks to a Giorgi Gvelesiani’s stoppage time goal in Tehran’s Takhti Stadium.
On Sunday, Tractor will host Foolad in Tabriz and will move top if it wins the match.