The Reds, coached by Croatia's Zlatko Kranjcar, took the lead when Hadi Norouzi scored the opener after 25 minutes at Shahid Bahonar Stadium in Kerman Thursday evening.
Mes Kerman Brazilian striker Edinho, however, netted the equalizer in the 36th minute.
Norouzi scored his second goal for the Tehran-based Persepolis five minutes later which was cancelled out by Rouhollah Bigdeli in the 55th minute.
Sheis Rezaie converted a penalty on the 79th minute to make it 3-2 for Persepolis, while Edinho found the net again nine minutes from time.
Mes Kerman's manager, Parviz Mazloumi, expressed dissatisfaction with the result at home.
"Although my players scored three goals to draw with Persepolis, I'm not happy with the result," Mazloumi said.
"Our defense line needs more coordination," he added. "Our team will show its real power in the upcoming matches."
Persepolis newly-appointed Croatian coach Zlatko Kranjcar, however, voiced satisfaction with his men's performance during the game.
"I'm satisfied with my players' performance and their tactics but they faced physical problems after one hour," Kranjcar said.
Earlier, Rah Ahan defeated Foulad 2-1 in the ninth IPL opening match held at Shahid Dastgerdi Stadium in the capital Tehran on the same day.
Mes Kerman hosts Sepahan in the second week of the season while Persepolis is scheduled to fly to the southern city of Ahwaz to clash with Esteqlal Ahwaz.