Esteghlal closed to within three points of Iran Pro League leaders Sepahan after defeating Sanat Naft 6-2.

The visitors took the lead after just 13 minutes through Levon Pachajyan but Esteghlal hit back in emphatic fashion as goals from Mehdi Seyed-Salehi, Mojtaba Jabari, Hadi Shakouri and Farhad Majidi gave them a 5-1 lead.

Roohollah Arab pulled a goal back for Sanat but Arash Borhani netted a sixth in injury time.

Zob Ahan saw their title chances suffer a setback with a 2-1 defeat at Pas Hamadan. Mohammadali Ahmadi cancelled out Morteza Aziz Mohamadi's opener but Farhad Kheirkhah grabbed the winner for Pas Hamadan in the 57th minute.