Mehdi Ghaedi chipped the ball over the head of Paykan goalkeeper vahid Sheikh Veisi in the 8th minute but Paykan striker Faraz Emamali found the back of the net in the 33rd minute.
In the 59th minute, Esteghlal captain Vouri Ghafouri gave the Blues a lead but Hossein Pouramini’s goal in the injury time rescued a point for Payakan.
Sepahan also suffered a late draw against Shahr Khodro in Mashhad. Sepahan defender Giorgi Gvelesiani found the back of the net with a header in the 60th minute and Younes Shakouri levelled the match with one minute remaining.
Foolad edged Pars Jonoubi 1-0 thanks to Ayoub Vali’s first-half goal.
In Isfahan, Zob Ahan defeated Nassaji 2-0 and Machine Sazi beat Tractor 2-0 in Tabriz derby.
Esteghlal, who is without a coach after parting company with Andrea Stramaccioni, sits top of the table with 26 points, followed by Sepahan (25 points) and Shahr Khodro (24 points).
Persepolis will meet Gol Gohar on Tuesday.