How to Call Iraq from the United States

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: August 10, 2021 References

Placing a call to Iraq from the US is easy—all you need to know is the country code and area code for the city you’re dialing. First, punch in '011,' which is the exit code that will allow you to place an international call outside of the United States. Then, enter the unique country code for Iraq, '964,' followed by the identifying area or mobile network code. Lastly, put in the local phone number you’re trying to reach. Different billing rates may apply depending on where you’re calling from.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Formatting Your Call

1
Dial ‘011’ to place a call outside the United States. This is the exit code for all international calls made from within the US and Canada. Using this code before you begin dialing a phone number will ensure that your call is dispatched outside of the country.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- If you attempt to dial a phone number without first putting in an exit code, your call won’t be able to go through.
- The ‘011’ exit code only works for the United States and Canada, not Mexico or any other countries in North America.
2
Enter the country code ‘964’ to call Iraq. This is the identifying code for the entire country of Iraq. Putting it in after dialing ‘011’ tells the telecommunications service relaying the call where it’s originating from and where it’s going.^{[2]
X
Research source}
- You’ll enter both the exit code and country code the same way whether you’re calling from a mobile phone or landline.
Advertisement
3
Specify a 1-2 digit area code for landline numbers. If you’re calling someone with a traditional single-line connection, you’ll need to enter an area code next. There are a total of 18 area codes used within the country of Iraq, most of which are only 1-2 digits long:^{[3]
X
Research source}
- Al Muthanna (Samawa) - 37
- Al-Qādisiyyah (Diwaniya) - 36
- Anbar (Ramadi) - 24
- Babil (Hialeah) - 32
- Baghdad - 1
- Basrah - 40
- Dhi Qar (Nasiriyah) - 42
- Diyala (Baqubah) - 25
- Duhok - 62
- Erbil - 66
- Karbala - 30
- Kirkuk - 50
- Maysan (Amarah) - 43
- Najaf - 33
- Ninawa (Mosul) - 60
- Salah ad Din (Tikrit) - 21
- Sulaymaniyah - 53
- Wasit (Al Kut) - 23
4
Enter a 3-digit mobile code to call a cell phone. All cell users in Iraq will be using one of several codes, each of which corresponds to a different mobile network. You’ll put in this code in place of a regular area code when calling someone’s personal phone. The different mobile codes are:^{[4]
X
Research source}
- 073 - Korek Telecom
- 074 - Itisaluna/Kalemat
- 075 - Korek Telecom
- 076 - Mobitel/Moutiny
- 077 - Asia Cell
- 078/079 - Zain Iraq
- It may be necessary to press the ‘+’ sign prior to dialing the mobile code if you’re calling an Iraqi cell phone from another cell phone. If your call doesn't go through the first time, try it again using the '+' symbol.^{[5]
  X
  Research source}
- If you’re not sure what mobile network your recipient is on, you might have to get in touch with them another way in order to find out.
5
Punch in the number of the person you’re trying to reach. All that’s left to do now is to provide a local phone number. Fixed line numbers in Iraq have 8-9 digits, including the area code, while cell phone numbers have 10. Be aware that it may take slightly longer to be connected than it would for a regular domestic call.^{[6]
X
Research source}
- If you’re calling a landline, the finished dialing format should look something like this: 011-964-1-XXX-XXXX.
- To place a mobile call, you’ll dial 011-964-07X-XXX-XXXX.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Calling Considerately

1
Check the local time in Iraq before you call. Keep in mind that Iraq is 7 hours ahead of states in the eastern US, and 10 hours ahead of those on the west coast. If you phone at an inopportune moment, there’s a chance you could catch your recipient at dinner or even wake them up. You don’t want to disturb them by mistake!^{[7]
X
Research source}
- You can find out what time it currently is in Iraq by running a search for “Iraq” plus “local time,” or by pulling up the country’s details in the world clock app on your smartphone or tablet.^{[8]
  X
  Research source}
2
Try to call at a time that works for both you and your recipient. Because of the substantial time difference between the US and Iraq, it may be necessary to plan your call well in advance. If you ring your recipient at 10:00am EST, for instance, they’ll be picking up at 5:00 in the evening. By coordinating your call ahead of time, you can ensure that neither of you will be awakened unexpectedly or kept up past your bedtime.
- Calling during important prayer times could be considered disrespectful. These differ day-to-day based on the hours of sunrise and sunset—you can find an updated daily listing online.^{[9]
  X
  Research source}
- Unless your recipient is a night owl, it's probably best not to reach out after about 2:00-3:00pm EST (9:00-10:00 PM Iraq time).
3
Learn to greet your recipient in Arabic. Most Iraqi people are familiar with basic English phrases, but it can be helpful to pick up a simple phone greeting in case the person you’re calling isn’t. “As-salamu alaykum” (“peace be upon you”) is a standard formal salutation that is useful for a variety of situations. The polite phrase is most often employed by speakers who don't share a close personal relationship.^{[10]
X
Research source}
- If your recipient greets you with “as-salamu alaykum,” the proper response is “wa’alaykumu as-salam” (“and upon you, peace”).
- Your US number may not show up on caller ID, so don't forget to identify yourself following the initial greeting. An easy way to introduce yourself to someone you're unacquainted with is to say "ismii," followed by your name.
4
Give a more casual greeting to well-known recipients. In less formal conversations, the other person may answer by saying "ahlan," “hala,” “allo,” or another similar derivative of “hello.” As an English speaker, it's perfectly acceptable to respond to this by simply saying "hello" or stating your name or business.
- The Iraqi people aren't as fastidious about telephone etiquette as Americans tend to be. If your recipient doesn’t offer any greeting when they pick up, it’s usually okay to go ahead and start talking.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Reducing Long Distance Charges

1
Understand international billing rates. Calling Iraq from the US can be expensive. In most cases, you’ll be charged $2-3 a minute for calls placed to most parts of the country. Minute-by-minute rates may differ somewhat depending on your mobile provider and the exact area you’re calling.
- Keep your call short and sweet. Staying on the line too long could leave you with a steep bill to pay off at the end of the month.
- Your phone company can provide you with a complete list of billing rates for international calls by territory.
2
Be aware that additional charges may apply. Before you pick up the phone, contact your cell service provider and ask them how much they charge for international calls. Some mobile networks tack on extra fees for calls placed outside of the country. These fees can add up quickly, so it may be best to call only when necessary.^{[11]
X
Research source}
3
Purchase a cell phone plan that includes long-distance calling. If you have a need to call Iraq frequently, look into cell service packages that offer flat or reduced rates for international calls. Your monthly bill may go up a bit, but the money you stand to save will likely make the slight price increase worth it in the end.^{[12]
X
Research source}
- It's important to note that the "free" long distance calling some plans advertise may not actually be free. More often than not, these packages just bump up the amount of anytime minutes you have available, and charge you for any minutes you use outside of the allotted amount.
4
Buy a prepaid phone card. Another option is to stock up on cheap phone cards that will allow you to dial internationally. One of these can often bring calling rates down to as low as $0.09 per minute. You'll be asked to provide your recipient's full phone information, including exit, country, and area or mobile code anytime you place a call using a phone card.^{[13]
X
Research source}
- The fact that prepaid phone cards come loaded with a limited number of minutes can actually prove to be an unexpected financial advantage, as it will make you more aware of how much time you've spent on the phone.
- To find out how much time you have left on your card, dial the toll-free service number listed on the back.^{[14]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  Federal Communications Commission
  Independent U.S. government agency responsible for regulating radio, television, and satellite, and phone communications
  Go to source}
5
Make calls over the internet. VoIPs (Voice Over Internet Protocols) and similar services make it possible for anyone with a broadband internet connection to place voice calls. In order to use a VoIP, you'll need a desktop or laptop computer with a reliable internet connection. Some companies also sell adapter kits that allow you to convert a standard phone into a device you can use to make calls over the internet.^{[15]
X
Trustworthy Source
Federal Communications Commission
Independent U.S. government agency responsible for regulating radio, television, and satellite, and phone communications
Go to source}
- Many cell service providers offer internet calling packages, including AT&T, Vonage, and Skype.
- Signing up for a VoIP service might run you anywhere from $35-60 a month, depending on the exact plan you go with.^{[16]
  X
  Research source}