<p>Emotional intelligence and psychological needs are considered as important psychological variables. However, no previous study has examined the relationship between these variables in relation to new emerging addictions such as Instagram addiction. Therefore, the present study was conducted to examine the relationship between basic psychological needs and Instagram addiction by examining the mediating role of emotional intelligence. Using a multistage cluster sampling method, an online survey was completed by university students in Mashhad. After deleting those with incomplete data and outliers, 640 participants remained for analysis. The results showed a negative and significant relationship between relatedness and Instagram addiction (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05), but no significant relationship was found between autonomy and competence (<i>p</i> &gt; 0.05). There was a positive significant relationship between all three components of basic psychological needs and emotional intelligence (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.01). There was also a negative significant relationship between emotional intelligence and Instagram addiction (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.01). The results of the model also showed that all three components of basic needs had a negative significant relationship with Instagram addiction and that emotional intelligence had a mediating role (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.01). The results showed that the emotional intelligence played a mediating role in the relationship between basic psychological needs and Instagram addiction. By training emotional intelligence, it is possible to enhance mental health and well-being which may help prevent addictive behaviors (such as Instagram addiction).</p>