DCS World includes southern Iran on the paid Persian Gulf map. See exactly what it covers, what is missing, and whether the Iraq map is an alternative.
DCS World includes part of Iran, not the whole country. The paid Persian Gulf terrain is the main DCS map for Iran, modelling the southern coast around the Strait of Hormuz plus several Iranian islands and airfields. The free DCS terrains do not provide a detailed, mission-ready Iran.
Which DCS map includes Iran?
The Persian Gulf terrain is the correct DCS World map for missions set in southern Iran and around the Strait of Hormuz. It is a separate paid terrain module rather than part of the core installation.
Its Iranian coverage includes locations such as Bandar Abbas, Bandar Lengeh, Shiraz, Kerman, Jiroft and Lar, along with islands including Kish, Qeshm, Lavan, Sirri, Abu Musa and the Tunb islands. The United Arab Emirates and northern Oman are modelled across the water, making the terrain particularly suitable for naval operations, carrier aviation and cross-Strait missions.
Our guide to available DCS terrains and how to install them explains where the Persian Gulf module fits among the other maps.
How much of Iran does the Persian Gulf map cover?
Only southern Iran is represented at useful mission detail; DCS World does not contain a complete nationwide Iran map.
- Included: the Strait of Hormuz coastline, major southern airfields, several inland locations and the principal Gulf islands.
- Not included: Tehran and most of northern, western and central Iran.
- Outside the detailed area: terrain visible near a map boundary may lack the airfields, buildings and ground detail needed for a convincing mission.
A common mistake is to treat the entire rectangular area shown in the Mission Editor as equally detailed. The authored region and usable airfield network matter more than the outer map boundary.
Is Iran included with free DCS World?
No—the detailed Iranian terrain requires ownership and installation of the Persian Gulf map. Aircraft modules are licensed separately, so buying an aircraft does not unlock this terrain.
A downloaded .miz mission also does not contain its underlying map. If a single-player mission or multiplayer server uses Persian Gulf, every participating player must have that terrain installed.
Should I use the Persian Gulf or Iraq map for Iran?
Choose Persian Gulf for Iran-centred operations; choose Iraq when Iraq itself is the main theatre.
| Terrain | Best use | Iran coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Persian Gulf | Strait of Hormuz, Gulf shipping, carrier and southern Iranian operations | Detailed southern mainland, islands and Iranian airfields |
| Iraq | Iraq-centred campaigns and border operations | Some neighbouring Iranian ground may appear, but it is not a substitute for Persian Gulf |
| Caucasus | Free training and missions around Georgia and the Caucasus | No detailed Iran |
For broader buying criteria, see our comparison of DCS terrains by mission type. If your scenario is centred farther west, our assessment of the Iraq map and its coverage explains that terrain’s strengths.
Can I build a DCS mission around Tehran?
No—Tehran is not modelled as a proper destination on the Persian Gulf terrain, and DCS World has no complete high-detail Iran map. Missions are tied to one terrain, so Persian Gulf and Iraq cannot be stitched together or swapped underneath an existing mission to extend the country.