| Summary: | <b>: </b>Vector competence is an important parameter in evaluating whether a species plays a role in transmission of an arbovirus. Although the protocols are similar, interpretation of results is unique given the specific interactions that exist between a mosquito population and a viral genotype. Here, we assessed the infection (IR), dissemination (DR), and transmission (TR) rates of<i> Cx. pipiens</i> s.l., collected from Iran, for West Nile virus (WNV) lineage 1a. We showed that <i>Cx. pipiens</i> s.l. mosquitoes in Iran were susceptible to WNV with IR up to 89.7%, 93.6%, and 83.9% at 7, 14, and 21 days post-infection (dpi) respectively. In addition, DR and TR reached respectively 92.3% and 75.0% at 21 dpi, and the number of viral particles delivered with saliva reached up to 1.33 × 10<sup>5</sup> particles. Therefore, an unexpected high risk of WNV dissemination in the region where <i>Cx. pipiens</i> s.l. mosquitoes are well established should be considered carefully and surveillance measures implemented accordingly.
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