🛩️ Where Are Iran’s F-14 Fighter Jets Today?

The F-14 Tomcat is a legendary fighter jet made famous by the U.S. Navy in the 1970s and ‘80s—and immortalized by movies like Top Gun. But surprisingly, the last place on Earth where the F-14 still flies isn't the United States… it's Iran.

So where are Iran’s F-14s today? Are they still operational? And how is a decades-old American jet still flying in a country that’s been under sanctions for years?

Let’s explore the unique and mysterious case of Iran’s F-14 fleet.

✈️ A Quick History: How Did Iran Get the F-14?

In the 1970s, Iran was a close ally of the United States under the rule of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. At that time, Iran sought to build the most powerful air force in the Middle East.

In 1974–1976, Iran ordered 79 F-14A Tomcats from the U.S., becoming the only foreign customer ever allowed to buy the F-14.

These jets were meant to counter the Soviet Union’s presence in the region.
They were equipped with long-range Phoenix missiles, giving Iran a major air defense advantage.

However, everything changed after the 1979 Iranian Revolution. The U.S. cut ties with the new Islamic Republic and banned all military support, including parts, weapons, and maintenance.

🛠️ How Are Iranian F-14s Still Flying?

Despite decades of sanctions, Iran has kept some of its F-14s operational—an incredible feat of reverse engineering, local ingenuity, and parts smuggling.

Here’s how they managed it:

Cannibalization of Parts
Many grounded F-14s have been stripped for usable parts to keep others flying.
Local Manufacturing
Iran’s defense industry has reverse-engineered components to replace worn-out systems.
Black Market & Smuggling
Some reports suggest Iran acquired spare parts illegally from the black market, especially during the 1990s and early 2000s.
Domestic Upgrades
Iran has fitted some F-14s with non-U.S. weapons and electronics, including local radar systems and missiles like the Fakour-90 (a copy of the AIM-54 Phoenix missile).

📍 So, Where Are the Iranian F-14s Now?

Today, Iran’s F-14s are based at the 8th Tactical Air Base in Isfahan, which serves as their primary home.

Key facts:

Around 24–30 F-14s are believed to still exist.
Roughly 12–15 may be airworthy, though this number is debated.
The fleet is maintained by the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF).
They are often seen in patrol and show-of-force missions inside Iranian airspace.

Although they rarely appear in combat roles, F-14s are occasionally spotted in training exercises or as part of Iran's aerial presence during national holidays or tense military moments.

🧠 Why Are They Still Important?

Despite being old, the F-14s still serve a psychological and strategic role:

Symbol of Prestige
The F-14 is still seen as a symbol of air superiority and pride in Iranian aviation history.
Long-Range Interceptor Role
Iran has few aircraft with similar long-range radar and interception capabilities. The F-14 fills that gap.
Domestic Innovation Showcase
Their continued use allows Iran to demonstrate self-reliance in military tech despite heavy sanctions.

⚠️ Limitations of Iran’s F-14s

Despite the achievements, Iran’s F-14s have serious limitations:

Aging airframes and electronics
Limited availability of parts
No access to modern upgrades like stealth, AESA radars, or advanced EW systems
Increased risk of mechanical failure

In any future large-scale air conflict, they would likely be outmatched by 5th-generation fighters such as the F-35, Rafale, or Eurofighter Typhoon.

🔍 Are the F-14s Being Replaced?

Iran has expressed interest in acquiring new fighter jets, particularly from Russia and China, such as:

Su-35 (from Russia)
J-10C (from China)

But so far, no confirmed deliveries have occurred. Until then, the F-14 remains Iran’s most powerful air-to-air platform, despite its age.

📝 Final Thoughts

Iran’s F-14s are more than just old warplanes—they’re a story of resilience, engineering ingenuity, and military adaptation in the face of isolation. Though limited in modern capabilities, these Cold War-era jets continue to patrol Iran’s skies, standing as the last flying Tomcats in the world.

Their future is uncertain, but their legacy is already cemented in both aviation history and Middle Eastern geopolitics.

Where Are Iran’s F-14 Fighter Jets Today?