Esteqlal striker Milad Meydavoudi scored the winning goal for the capital-based Blues at Tehran's Azadi Stadium on Friday evening to take the whole three points of the game.
Esteqlal, coached by Parviz Mazloumi, is now level in points with Zobahan on 24 but sits on top of the standings on goal deference.
Despite a good performance by both teams, the first half ended in a goalless draw.
In the second half, the Blues took the lead when Meydavoudi broke the deadlock in the 57th minute of the game through a long-range shot outside the box.
In other matches of the 13th week, the title holder Sepahan defeated 7th placed Teraktorsazi 1-0 with Ibrahima Toure's sole goal in the 5th minute of the game in Isfahan.
Pas and Malavan drew 1-1, and Naft and Saipa's match ended in a goalless draw. Peykan, which is at the bottom of the 18-team table, downed Sanatenaft 1-0, Mes beat Saba 2-1 and Foulad overpowered Shahin 1-0.
On Saturday, Shahrdari meets Zobahan, and Steel Azin faces Persepolis.