In a world dominated by stealth fighters and fifth-generation jets, Iran remains the lone holdout flying the legendary F-14 Tomcat – the variable-sweep wing icon from the Hollywood blockbuster Top Gun. While the U.S. retired its fleet over two decades ago, Tehrans pilots continue to keep around 40 of these Cold War beasts airborne, a testament to homegrown engineering amid crippling sanctions.

The story traces back to the 1970s, when the Shah of Iran, eyeing Soviet threats across vast borders, struck a deal for 80 F-14As – the only foreign export of this U.S. Navy powerhouse. Chosen over the F-15 for superior range and the game-changing AIM-54 Phoenix missile, these jets arrived with full support infrastructure, positioning Iran as a regional air superiority force. But the 1979 Islamic Revolution shattered that alliance, halting planned follow-on buys and triggering a U.S. parts embargo that persists today.

During the grinding Iran-Iraq War of the 1980s, Irans F-14s shone brightly despite fuel shortages and pilot losses. They claimed over 100 Iraqi aircraft kills – more than any other Iranian platform – including a standout beyond-visual-range shot against a MiG-25, showcasing the Phoenixs long arm. Low sortie rates preserved the fleet, but the real challenge came post-war: no spares, no upgrades, just ingenuity.

Irans maintainers got creative, reverse-engineering engines, 3D-printing rare components, and cloning the Phoenix into the Fakour-90 missile with upgraded seekers. Cannibalization from wrecks and black-market hauls kept wings sweeping, even as U.S. officials demolished their own retired Tomcats to deny Tehran scraps. Recent upgrades integrate some Russian avionics, but the core TF30 powerplants chug on, making each flight a high-stakes gamble.

Fast-forward to 2026: These Tomcats deter foes like Israel with unmatched radar horizons and endurance for Persian Gulf patrols, outlasting many modern rivals in loiter time. In an era of drone swarms and proxy conflicts, theyve scrambled against threats, underscoring their niche role in Irans mismatched air force. As President Trumps administration eyes Middle East flashpoints, Irans F-14s symbolize defiance – a relic proving necessity trumps obsolescence.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from NDTV.