This study investigates the effect of reading strategies instruction in L₂ (English) on raising reading strategies awareness and use and reading ability of Iranian EFL learners in L₂ (English) and L1 (Persian) as a result of transfer of reading strategies from L2 to L1. To this purpose, 120 students of intermediate and advanced English proficiency levels constituted the control and experimental groups. Then, a test of reading comprehension and a reading strategy questionnaire in L₂ and L₁ as pretests were distributed to the participants. After giving the experimental groups reading strategy instruction the post tests were distributed to all participants. Analysis of the data showed the experimental group outperformed the control group on the English and Persian reading comprehension strategy questionnaire and reading comprehension tests. Through teaching reading strategies in L₂ we can enhance the reading strategy awareness and use and reading ability of EFL students both in L₂ and L₁.