.ir Domain
.ir is the ccTLD of Iran, registered with IANA on April 6, 1994, and managed by IRNIC, tied to the Institute for Research in Fundamental Sciences (IPM). Although technical registration is open worldwide, U.S. OFAC sanctions prohibit its retail by U.S.-based registrars since at least 2015.
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About the .IR domain
What is the .IR domain?
Technical registration is formally open to people and organizations from any country: companies must provide proof of commercial registration, people with Iranian citizenship or residence must submit identity documents, and international organizations must provide proof of their statutes or registration. However, there is a genuine, well-documented geopolitical restriction: due to sanctions from the U.S. Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), registrars based in the U.S. have been prohibited from retailing .ir domains to the public since at least 2015, a prohibition also applied by UK-based registrars. The general license authorizing certain internet-based services toward Iran expressly excludes domain name registration services. In practice, companies like Yahoo have had to request specific OFAC authorization to renew .ir domains registered with IRNIC.
Technical registration is open to people and organizations from any country through IRNIC, but due to U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctions, registrars based in the U.S. have been prohibited from retailing .ir domains since at least 2015, a restriction also applied by UK-based registrars. Some renewals have required special OFAC licensing. Check with our team to confirm availability and exact requirements.
Uses of .IR
Who is the .IR domain for?
These are the most common situations where .IR is the ideal extension.
Iranian individuals and companies
The most direct use: residents and entities with formal Iranian documentation.
International organizations (outside the U.S./UK)
Entities from countries without OFAC restrictions can register through IRNIC.
Restriction for U.S. and UK registrars
It is not possible to commercialize .ir through registrars based in these countries due to current sanctions.
.IR vs other extensions
Which extension suits you best?
Each extension has its own profile. Here we compare .IR with the most common alternatives to help you choose.
| Extension | Best for | Restrictions | Registration price |
|---|---|---|---|
| .ir This page | Iranians or international entities (not U.S./UK) | OFAC sanctions prohibit sale from U.S.-based registrars | Check price |
| .com | Any project with no such geopolitical restrictions | None | $14.99/year |
Registration process
How to register your .IR domain at miHosting
Check availability
Type the name you want in the search bar. We show you in seconds whether it's available or if you need to look for alternatives.
Complete registration
Fill in the registrant details and choose whether to add hosting. The entire process takes less than 5 minutes.
Your domain is live
Within minutes your .IR domain is active and visible from anywhere in the world. DNS propagates in under 24 hours.
Frequently asked questions about the .IR domain
Can I register a .ir domain through a U.S.-based registrar?
No. OFAC sanctions prohibit U.S.-based registrars from retailing .ir domains to the public since at least 2015.
Why did Yahoo need special authorization to renew a .ir domain?
Because the general license for internet services toward Iran expressly excludes domain name registration services, requiring specific OFAC licensing in some cases.
Who manages the .ir domain?
IRNIC, tied to the Institute for Research in Fundamental Sciences (IPM), based in Tehran. It was registered with IANA on April 6, 1994.
Does the same restriction apply in the UK?
Yes, UK-based registrars also apply similar restrictions on selling .ir domains.
Can I register my .ir domain with miHosting?
Given international sanctions restrictions, check with our team to assess availability for your specific situation.
Register your .IR today
Your .IR domain.
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