Karim Ansarifard gave Iran the lead from the six-meter zone just four minutes into the match.
Iran dominated possession but lacked a cutting edge in the first half. Ansarifard could have scored more goals but failed to take advantage of his chances.
But Iranian coach Carlos Queiroz’s team performed better after the interval.
Iran’s Mohammad-Reza Khalatbari hit the bar at the beginning of the second half.
Karim Ansarifard scored Iran’s second goal by deflecting the ball into the goal in the 62nd minute.
Captain Ali Karimi made it 3-0 with a header from the penalty area six minutes later.
Substitute Saeid Daghighi scored Iran’s fourth goal with two minutes remaining.
The second leg will be held on July 28 in Male, the capital of the Maldives.
The two teams met for the first time in the 1998 World Cup qualifiers, in a game in which the Iranian team had its most lopsided victory when they crushed the Maldives 17-0.
MH/HG
END
MNA