The tectonic inversion of rift basins denotes a change in the tectonic regime from extension to compression, during which extensional faults reactivate as compressional structures. The Zagros fold-thrust belt on the northeastern margin of the Arabian plate has resulted from the opening and closure of the Neo- Tethys Ocean and has evolved during three main stages of tectonic evolution including: The Permian–Triassic continental rifting, the Jurassic–Eocene passive margin setting, and the Oligocene–present continental collision. We present a set of two-dimensional finite difference models in crustal-scale with a visco-elasto-brittle/plastic rheology to investigate the formation of Zagros fold-and-thrust belt as a result of tectonic inversion, from intracontinental extension to compression. Extension localization along steep basement faults produces half-graben structures and the structure of basins are controlled by precursor basement faults and the basal salt layer. In the convergence stage, typical structures of inverted basins were developed, including hanging wall by-pass thrusts, footwall shortcut thrusts, back-thrusts, and harpoon structures. While, weak basal detachment decoupled the sedimentary cover from underlying basement and accelerated the propagation of deformation front.