The current local time in Iraq is shown above. Iraq operates on Arabian Standard Time (AST) with a UTC offset of UTC+3.
Major cities including Baghdad, Basra, Mosul, and Erbil all follow the same national time zone.
Iraq uses a single time zone across the entire country, keeping time consistent nationwide.
Iraq follows Arabian Standard Time (UTC+3) throughout the year and does not observe Daylight Saving Time.
Quick Facts
- Capital: Baghdad
- Region: Middle East / Western Asia
- Time Zone: Arabian Standard Time (AST)
- UTC Offset: UTC+3
- Daylight Saving Time: No
- Population: About 44 million
- Language: Arabic and Kurdish
- Currency: Iraqi Dinar (IQD)
Time Difference from Major Cities
- Iraq ↔ Sydney: Sydney is usually 7–8 hours ahead, depending on Australian Daylight Saving Time.
- Iraq ↔ New York: New York is usually 8 hours behind Iraq.
- Iraq ↔ London: London is usually 3 hours behind Iraq.
- Iraq ↔ Dubai: Dubai is usually 1 hour ahead of Iraq.
- Iraq ↔ Tokyo: Tokyo is usually 6 hours ahead of Iraq.
Time differences may vary slightly during Daylight Saving Time transition weeks.
Daylight Saving Time
Iraq does not observe Daylight Saving Time. The country remains on UTC+3 throughout the year, maintaining a consistent national time.
Best Time to Call Iraq from Abroad
If you are calling Iraq from:
- Australia (Sydney): Best time is 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM Sydney time, corresponding to morning in Iraq.
- United Kingdom: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM UK time works well.
- United States (New York): 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM EST reaches Iraq in the afternoon.
Typical business hours in Iraq are 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Sunday to Thursday.
Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat time zone is Iraq in?
Iraq follows Arabian Standard Time (AST) which is UTC+3.
Does Iraq observe Daylight Saving Time?
No. Iraq keeps the same time throughout the year.
Is Iraq the same time as Saudi Arabia?
Yes. Iraq and Saudi Arabia both operate on UTC+3.
Where is Iraq Located?
Iraq is located in the Middle East in Western Asia, bordered by Turkey to the north, Iran to the east, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia to the south, and Jordan and Syria to the west.
What is Iraq Famous For?
Iraq is known for its ancient history and role as the center of early civilizations.
Iraq is famous for:
- Mesopotamia, one of the cradles of human civilization
- Ancient cities such as Babylon and Nineveh
- Historic archaeological sites and ruins
- The Tigris and Euphrates rivers
- Rich cultural and religious history
- Traditional Middle Eastern cuisine and markets
Because of its ancient heritage and historical importance, Iraq is one of the most historically significant regions in the world.
Additional Note
Since Iraq does not observe Daylight Saving Time, international time differences may change when other countries adjust their clocks seasonally.
