View source for Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force

{{Short description|Aerial service branch of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army}}
{{About|Air Force of Iran's regular military|Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' similar force|Aerospace Force of the Army of the Guardians of the Islamic Revolution}}
{{See also|Islamic Republic of Iran Air Defense Force}}
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{{Multiple issues|
{{More citations needed|date=April 2020}}
{{POV|date=April 2021}}
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{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name                     = Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force
| native_name                   = {{ubl|{{lang|fa|نیروی هوایی ارتش جمهوری اسلامی ایران}}|{{transliteration|fa|Nirū-ye Havāyi-ye Arteš-e Jomhūri-ye Eslāmi-ye Irān}}}}
| image                         = Seal of the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force.svg
| image_size                    = 200px
| caption                       = The badge of the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force
| start_date                    = {{ubl|{{start date and age|1925|02|25|df=yes}}|<small>(as the [[History of the Iranian Air Force#Imperial era|Imperial Iranian Air Force]])</small>|{{start date and age|1979|02|df=yes}}|<small>(as the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force)</small>}}
| country                       = {{flag|Iran}}
| allegiance                    = 
| branch                        = 
| type                          = [[Air force]]
| role                          = [[Aerial warfare]]
| size                          = 37,000 personnel (2024)<ref name=IISS1>{{cite book |last1=International Institute for Strategic Studies |author1-link=International Institute for Strategic Studies |title=The Military Balance 2024 |date=February 13, 2024 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1032780047 |edition=1st |pages=155}}</ref><br>330–350 aircraft<ref name=IISS1/>
| command_structure             = [[Islamic Republic of Iran Army]]
| garrison                      = [[Tehran]]
| garrison_label                = Headquarters
| nickname                      = {{ubl|{{langx|fa|تیزپروازان}}|"Fastflyers"}}
| patron                        = 
| motto                         = {{ubl|{{langx|fa|بلند آسمان جایگاه من است}}|"Skyhigh is my place"}}
| colours                       = {{Color box|#3F00FF}} [[Ultramarine|Ultramarine blue]]
| colours_label                 = 
| march                         = 
| mascot                        = 
| anniversaries                 = 8 February (Air Force Day)
| equipment                     = 
| equipment_label               = 
| battles                       = * [[Anglo-Soviet invasion of Iran|Anglo-Soviet invasion]]
* [[Project Dark Gene]]
* [[Dhofar War]]
* [[Joint Operation Arvand]]
* [[1978 Iranian Chinook shootdown]]
* [[1982 Harmak incident]]
* [[Iran–Iraq War]]
* [[Syrian Civil War]]
* [[2014 military intervention against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant|Military intervention against ISIS]]
* [[Iran-Israel War]]
| decorations                   = 
| battle_honours                = 
| battle_honours_label          = 
| flying_hours                  = 
| website                       = <!-- Commanders -->
| commander1                    = [[Supreme Leader of Iran|Supreme Leader]] [[Ali Khamenei]]
| commander1_label              = [[Commander-in-Chief of the Iranian Armed Forces|Commander-in-Chief]]
| commander2                    = 
| commander2_label              = 
| commander3                    = [[Brigadier General]] [[Hamid Vahedi]]
| commander3_label              = Commander of the Air Force
| commander4                    = [[Brigadier General]] Mahdi Hadian
| commander4_label              = Deputy Commander
| commander5                    = [[Second brigadier general (Iran)|Second Brigadier General]] Ali-Akbar Talebzadeh
| commander5_label              = Coordinating Deputy Commander
| notable_commanders            = <!-- Insignia -->
| identification_symbol         = [[File:Roundel of Iran.svg|x90px]]
| identification_symbol_label   = [[Military aircraft insignia|Roundels]]
| identification_symbol_2       = [[File:Flag of Iran.svg|90px]]
| identification_symbol_2_label = [[Fin flash]]
| identification_symbol_3       = [[File:Flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force.svg|100px]]
| identification_symbol_3_label = Flag <!-- Aircraft -->
| aircraft_attack               = [[F-4 Phantom II|F-4D/E]], [[Sukhoi Su-24|Su-24MK]], [[Northrop F-5|F-5E/F]], [[HESA Saeqeh|Saeqeh]], [[HESA Karrar]]
| aircraft_bomber               = 
| aircraft_electronic           = [[Boeing 707|B707 Elint]]
| aircraft_fighter              = [[F-14 Tomcat|F-14A]], [[MiG-29|MiG-29A/UB]], [[Mirage F1|Mirage F1EQ4/EQ5/EQ6]], [[Chengdu J-7|F-7M]]
| aircraft_helicopter           = [[CH-47]], [[Bell 212]], [[Bell 206]]
| aircraft_helicopter_attack    = 
| aircraft_helicopter_cargo     = 
| aircraft_helicopter_multirole = 
| aircraft_helicopter_observation = 
| aircraft_helicopter_trainer   = 
| aircraft_helicopter_utility   = 
| aircraft_interceptor          = 
| aircraft_patrol               = [[P-3 Orion|P-3F]]
| aircraft_recon                = {{ubl|[[F-4|RF-4E]]|[[UAV]]: [[Kaman 22 (UAV)]], [[Kaman-12 (UAV)]], [[Mohajer-6 (UAV)]], [[Qods Mohajer]]}}
| aircraft_trainer              = [[Northrop F-5|F-5A/B/Simorgh]], [[PC-7]], [[Beechcraft Bonanza|F33C]], [[Fajr-3 (artillery rocket)|Fajr-3]], [[Chengdu J-7|FT-7]], [[Mirage F1|Mirage F1BQ]], [[Yak-130]], [[HESA Yasin]]
| aircraft_transport            = [[C-130 Hercules|C-130]], [[IL-76]], [[Fokker F27|F27]], [[Boeing 747]], [[Boeing 707]], [[Falcon 20]], [[Falcon 50]], [[Lockheed JetStar|JetStar]], [[PC-6]], [[Socata TB]], [[HESA Simourgh]]
| aircraft_tanker               = 
| aircraft_general              = 
}}

The '''Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force''' ('''IRIAF'''; {{langx|fa|نیروی هوایی ارتش جمهوری اسلامی ایران|Niruye Havâyiye Arteše Jomhuriye Eslâmiye Irân}}) is the [[air force|aviation branch]] of the [[Islamic Republic of Iran Army]]. The present air force was created when the [[Imperial Iranian Air Force]] was renamed in 1979 following the [[Iranian Revolution]]. The IRIAF was heavily involved in the [[Iran–Iraq War]], carrying out major operations like [[Operation Kaman 99]], [[Operation Sultan 10]], the [[H-3 airstrike]], and the first attack on a nuclear reactor in history, [[Operation Scorch Sword]].

After eight years of aerial combat in that conflict, the IRIAF has the second highest claimed number of [[fighter aces]] in the region, exceeded only by the [[Israeli Air Force]]; as many as seven IRIAF pilots claimed more than six kills, mostly achieved in the [[F-14 Tomcat]]. Veterans of the Iran–Iraq War formed the core of the IRIAF command. Due to its outdated equipment and lack of spare parts for its aircraft due to international sanctions, the IRIAF was unable to counter Israeli air strikes during the [[Iran–Israel War]], with no reports of its fighter jets being deployed, which gave [[Israel]] air superiority over Iran.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2lxkpekedo|title=Israel's smaller, sophisticated military opposes larger Iran|date=June 16, 2025|website=www.bbc.com}}</ref>

==History==
{{Main|Air force history of Iran}}
In February 1979, the IRIAF came into being when the former [[Imperial Iranian Air Force]] (IIAF) was renamed following the Islamic Revolution in Iran. The British publishing company Orbis' ''Warplane'' partwork magazine seems to indicate the renaming did not actually take place until after the [[Iran–Iraq War]] had broken out.{{citation needed|date=November 2020}}

This "new" Iranian air force largely inherited the equipment and structure of the former IIAF, losing most of its leading officers in the course of post-revolutionary chaos, as well as due to the prosecution of those considered as loyal to the Shah, pro-U.S. or elsewhere by the new government in Tehran.

Due to strained relations with the West, Iran had to procure new equipment from [[Brazil]], the Soviet Union and the People's Republic of China. Since the Revolution, the exact composition of the IRIAF has been hard to determine. Many aircraft belonging to the [[Iraqi Air Force]] took refuge in Iran during the [[Gulf War|Persian Gulf War]] in 1991, and many were put into service with the IRIAF or taken apart for spare parts.

Due to the continuous spare parts shortages faced by the air force, a decision was made in the late 1980s to develop a local aerospace industry to support the air force.

In 2002, Iran with the co-operation of [[Ukraine]], successfully started the manufacture of the Iran-140, a licence-built version of the [[Antonov An-140]] transport aircraft. Simultaneously, Iran began construction of two domestically produced fighters, upgraded using technology from the [[F-14 Tomcat]] and the [[F-5 Freedom Fighter|F-5 Tiger II]]. The fighters have been named the [[Azarakhsh]] and the [[Shafaq]].

Since then, Iran has also become self-sufficient in the manufacture of helicopters. Iran claims that it is capable of producing the U.S. [[AH-1 Cobra]] gunship. Iran produces [[Bell Helicopter]] [[Bell 212]] and [[Bell 206]] helicopters in serial production. These are known respectively as the [[Shabaviz 2-75]] and the Shabaviz 206.

===Iran–Iraq War (1980–88)===
[[File:C-130 Iran 1988 DN-SN-89-02586.JPEG|thumb|An IRIAF C-130 Hercules, 1988]]

A series of purges and forced retirements resulted in the manpower of the airforce being halved between February 1979 and July 1980, leaving the IRIAF ill-prepared for the [[Iran–Iraq War]], also called the "1st Persian Gulf War". The sudden Iraqi air strikes against eight major Iranian airbases and four other military installations, launched on the afternoon of 22 September 1980, came as a complete surprise and caused a shock in the IRIAF.

On 23 September 1980, the Iranians retaliated with [[Operation Kaman 99]], which involved 206 F-4, F-5 and F-14 aircraft. In that operation, 40 [[McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II#Armament|F-4 Phantoms, armed with]] [[Mark 82]], Mark 83 and Mark 84 bombs and AGM-65 Maverick missiles, took off from Hamadan. After refueling mid-air, the Phantoms reached the Iraqi capital Baghdad, where they attacked the [[al-Rashid airbase|al-Rashid]], [[al-Habbaniyah airbase|al-Habbaniyah]] and [[al-Kut airbase|al-Kut]] airbases. Meanwhile, eight more F-4s took off from Tehran and launched a second attack on the al-Rashid airbase.

Iran proceeded to launch 58 F-5E Tiger IIs from Tabriz, which were sent to attack Mosul Airbase. After the attack on Mosul Airbase, another 50 F-5Es were dispatched to strike Nasiriyah Airbase, which was heavily damaged.

As all 148 Iranian F-4s and F-5s had been sent for a bombing raid on Iraq, 60 F-14 Tomcats were scrambled to defend Iranian airspace against a possible Iraqi retaliation. Iranian F-14s managed to down 2 Iraqi MiG-21s (1 MiG-21RF and 1 MiG-21MF) and 3 Iraqi MiG-23s (MiG-23MS). An Iranian F-5E also shot down an Iraqi Su-20 during the operation. Iraqi MiG-23s managed to down 2 F-5Es, while Iraqi MiG-21s downed 2 F-5Es. The Iraqis also shot down one of their own Il-76MD strategic airlifters with a SA-3 SAM.

The Iraqis were well prepared for the attack, and had flown most of their air force to other Arab countries, such as Saudi Arabia. This made sure that most of the Iraqi Air Force survived the operation.

Saddam Hussein and the Iraqi military were dealt a heavy blow when Iranian Air Force vulnerabilities failed to materialize. All Iraqi air bases' near Iran were out of order for weeks and, according to Iran, Iraq's aerial efficiency was reduced by 55%. This allowed Iranians to regroup and prepare for the upcoming Iraqi invasion.

Although the readiness rates of the IRIAF significantly increased in the following months, its overall role and influence declined, as the clerical government prioritized resources for the [[Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps]] (IRGC) militias, and simultaneously attempted to develop a separate air arm for the IRGC.

Despite limitations and sanctions, the IRIAF achieved a successful kill rate in air-to-air combat against Iraqi jets. In air-to-air engagements, Iran's kill ratio was roughly 5:1, which was surpassed by the Israelis against Syria in 1982 and the US in the Gulf war in 1991. It got to the point where Iraq ordered its pilots to avoid air-to-air engagements, especially with the F-14.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://kavehfarrokh.com/book-review/books-on-the-history-of-the-iranian-air-force-by-farzad-bishop-and-tom-cooper-2/|title=Iranian F-14 Tomcat Units in Combat (Combat Aurcraft 49)|publisher=Osprey Publishing|year=2004|isbn=978-1841767871|first1=Tom|last1=Cooper|first2=Farzad|last2=Bishop}}</ref>

After the successful liberation of most Iranian areas captured by the Iraqis in the first half of 1982, the situation of the IRIAF changed completely. From an air arm that was offensive by nature, it was largely relegated to air defense and relatively infrequent bombing attacks against targets of industrial and military significance inside Iraq. Simultaneously, the IRIAF had to learn how to maintain and keep operational its large fleet of U.S.-built aircraft and helicopters without outside help, due to American sanctions. Relying primarily on antiquated equipment purchased from the US in the 1970s, the Iranians began establishing their own aerospace industry.

[[File:Iranian Lockheed P-3F Orion in flight over the Strait of Hormuz on 1 August 1994 (6491410).jpg|thumb|A [[Lockheed P-3 Orion|P-3F Orion]] of the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force]]
From 1984 and 1985, the IRIAF found itself confronted by an ever-better organized and equipped opponent, as the Iraqi Air force—reinforced by deliveries of advanced fighter-bombers from France and the Soviet Union—launched numerous offensives against Iranian air bases, military bases, industrial infrastructures, power plants, oil-export hubs, and population centers. These became better known as "[[Tanker war|The Tanker War]]" and "[[War of the cities|The War of the Cities]]".

To defend against an increasing number of Iraqi air strikes, the IRIAF leaned heavily on its large fleet of Grumman [[F-14 Tomcat]] interceptor fighters. Tomcats were mainly deployed in defense of the strategically important [[Khark Island]], the main hub for Iranian oil exports, and Tehran. Over 300 air-to-air engagements against IQAF fighters, fighter-bombers, and bombers, were fought in these areas between 1980 and 1988.{{citation needed|date=May 2008}}

Confronted with the fact that it could not obtain replacements for equipment lost in what became a war of attrition against Iraq, the IRIAF remained defense-orientated for the rest of the conflict, conserving its surviving assets as a "force in being". From mid 1987, the IRIAF found itself confronted with U.S. Navy fighters over the Persian Gulf. A number of confrontations between July 1987 and August 1988 stretched available IRIAF assets to the limit, exhausting its capability to defend Iranian air space against Iraqi air strikes.

With this brutal air fight during 8 consecutive years, many Iranian [[fighter pilots]] claimed world records during the war, such as General Yadollah Khalili, who holds the worldwide record of the longest straight flight in a [[fighter plane]], having flown an [[F-14]] non-stop for 11 hours, [[aerial refuelling]] 8 times during the process. [[Fereydoun Ali Mazandarani]] was the first pilot to aerial refuel an F-14 in a night environment.

As a result of this war, the IRIAF developed proven tactics and skillful battle tested pilots, becoming one of the most experienced air arms in the region.
The most notable Iranian fighter pilots were [[Fereydoun Ali Mazandarani]], [[Fazlollah Javidnia]], [[Jalil Zandi]] and [[Shahram Rostami]]. Other notable pilots include, [[Hossein Khalatbari]], [[Abbas Doran]], [[Hassan Harandi]], [[Abolfazl Mehreganfar]], [[Ghafour Jeddi]], [[Abbas Babaei]] and [[Ali Eghbali Dogahe]] among many others.

===Post Iran–Iraq War===
[[File:Iranian Air Force Hercules Habibi.jpg|thumb|An Iranian [[C-130]] Hercules, 2010]]

Immediately after the end of the Iran–Iraq War, the IRIAF was partially rebuilt through limited purchases of [[MiG-29]] fighters and [[Su-24]] bombers from the Soviet Union, and [[F-7 Skybolt|F-7]]M and FT-7 fighters from China. While providing needed reinforcement to the Iranian Air Force, these types never replaced the older, U.S.-built F-4 Phantoms, F-14s (the IRIAF is now the only air arm in the world using the fighter), or F-5s. Instead, the IRIAF continued its efforts to keep these types in service, and began a number of projects to refurbish and upgrade them.

===1990s===
During the 1991 [[Persian Gulf War]], numerous Iraqi pilots flew Iraqi Air Force aircraft to Iran to avoid destruction by coalition forces. The Iranians impounded these aircraft and never returned them, putting them in service in the IRIAF<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/381277.stm|work=[[BBC News]]|title=World: Middle East Iran 'makes own warplane'|date=29 June 1999|access-date=16 March 2020}}</ref> and claiming them as reparations for the Iran–Iraq War. The aircraft included several [[Mirage F1]]s, [[MiG-23]]s, MiG-29s, [[Su-20]]s, [[Su-17|Su-22Ms]], Su-24s, [[Su-25]]s and a number of [[Il-76]]s, including the secret, one-off AEW-AWACS Il-76 "ADNAN 1" prototype.

Even after the cease-fire with Iraq, the IRIAF carried out several air raids against [[Kurdish separatism in Iran|Kurdish]] bases in northern Iraq. The first raid was conducted using eight F-4s armed with rockets and cluster bombs on 6 April 1992 against [[People's Mujahedin of Iran]]'s [[Camp Ashraf]]. During this event one F-4 was shot down by either insurgent or Iraqi military AAA. Both pilots, Lt. Col Amini and Cpt. Sharifi, were captured, and freed in 1998. Despite threats of response, Iraq was not able to retaliate due to its own fight against Kurdish separatist guerrillas and the [[Iraqi no-fly zones|Western-imposed no-fly zones]] that crippled and limited its air force's operations.<ref name="nytimes">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/04/06/world/iran-strafes-rebels-in-iraq-jet-downed.html|title=Iran Strafes Rebels in Iraq - Jet Downed|work=The New York Times|date=6 April 1992 |access-date=2015-02-07|last1=Schmitt |first1=Eric }}</ref><ref name="ejection-history">{{cite web|url=http://www.ejection-history.org.uk/Country-By-Country/iranian_f_4_phantom_losses.htm|title=iranian_F_4_Phantom_LOSSES|publisher=ejection-history.org.uk|access-date=2015-02-07|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150710211447/http://www.ejection-history.org.uk/country-by-country/iranian_f_4_phantom_losses.htm|archive-date=2015-07-10}}</ref>

In 2007, Iraq asked Iran to return some of the scores of Iraqi fighter planes that flew there ahead of the Gulf War in 1991.<ref name="reuters.com">{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iraq-airforce-idUSCOL54415720070805|title=Iraq air force wants Iran to give back its planes|newspaper=Reuters|date=5 August 2007|via=www.reuters.com|last1=Colvin|first1=Ross}}</ref> In 2014, Iran was receptive to the demands and was working on refurbishing an unspecified number of jets.<ref name="scmp.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/world/article/1542427/new-us-planes-slow-arrive-iraq-seeks-remnants-saddams-air-force-bomb-isil|title=With new US planes slow to arrive, Iraq seeks remnants of Saddam's air force to bomb ISIL|date=28 June 2014|website=South China Morning Post}}</ref><ref name="washingtonpost.com">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2014/06/27/be172f43-cf98-4677-8e6d-4d64a5ae5e1d_story.html|title=Iraq cobbling together makeshift air force to fight ISIS|first=Loveday|last=Morris|date=27 June 2014|access-date=16 March 2020|newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref> In late 2014, Iran returned 130 military aircraft to Iraq.<ref name="middleeastmonitor.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20140623-iran-returns-military-aircraft-to-iraq-after-20-years/|title=Iran returns military aircraft to Iraq after 20 years|date=23 June 2014|website=Middle East Monitor}}</ref>

===2000s===
In 2006, after Iranian media published a series of reports suggesting that [[Venezuela]] was interested in selling its 21 [[F-16 Fighting Falcon]]s to Iran,<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090216034033/http://www.aftabnews.ir/vdciwwa5.t1a5z2bcct.html چاوز: جنگنده های اف – ۱۶ را احتمالا به ایران می فروشیم] (Aftab News)</ref> a [[Hugo Chavez]] adviser confirmed to the [[Associated Press]] that "Venezuela's military is considering selling its fleet of U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets to another country, possibly Iran, in response to a U.S. ban on arms sales to President Hugo Chávez's government". In response, [[Sean McCormack]], a [[U.S. State Department]] spokesperson, warned Venezuela that "without the written consent of the United States, Venezuela can't transfer these defense articles, and in this case F-16s, to a third country".<ref>[https://www.foxnews.com/story/venezuela-threatens-to-sell-f-16-fleet-to-iran Venezuela Threatens to Sell F-16 Fleet to Iran], Fox News</ref>

[[File:IRIAF trainings in Tehran 03.jpg|thumb|Iranian Air Forces training in [[Tehran]], 2014]]
According to [[Moscow Defense Brief]], Russia delivered 6 [[Sukhoi Su-25#Su-25UBK|Su-25UBK]] ground attack fighter-trainers, 12 [[Mi-171]]Sh military transport helicopters, 21 Mi-171 transport helicopters, and 3 Mi-17B-5 medical helicopters to Iran between 2000 and 2006. A $700&nbsp;million repair and modernization program of the IRIAF MiG-29 and Su-24 fighters was also completed.<ref name="defensebrief2006">[http://www.mdb.cast.ru/mdb/1-2006/arms_trade/item1/ Russia on Iran’s Market for Arms] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090907094943/http://www.mdb.cast.ru/mdb/1-2006/arms_trade/item1/ |date=2009-09-07 }} Moscow Defense Brief</ref>

On 22 September 2009, an IRIAF Il-76 [[2009 Iranian Air Force mid-air collision|collided with]] an F-5E<ref name=Defense>{{cite web |url=http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=4289949&c=AIR&s=MID |title=Iranian Military Planes Crashes in Annual Parade |publisher=Defensenews |access-date=2009-09-23 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210114191020/https://www.webcitation.org/5k5dUA3SP?url=http://www.defensenews.com/story.php%3Fi=4289949&c=AIR&s=MID |archive-date=2021-01-14 }}</ref> shortly after an annual parade in Tehran and crashed near [[Varamin]], killing all seven people on board.<ref name=ASN220909>{{cite web|url=http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20090922-0 |title=Accident description |publisher=Aviation Safety Network |access-date=2009-09-23}}</ref>

===2010s===
At the end of 2014, there was evidence that the IRIAF was involved in the [[2014 military intervention against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant]]. A video released by [[Al Jazeera Media Network|Aljazeera]] seemed to show an Iranian [[F-4 Phantom II]] bombing some [[Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant|ISIS]] buildings in [[Diyala Governorate]].<ref>[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/12/01/us-iran-iraq_n_6251894.html Iran Bombing Islamic State In Iraq, U.S. Official Confirms] ''[[Huffington Post]]''</ref>

On August 26, 2018, an F-5F crash-landed near Dezful, killing the pilot and injuring the co-pilot.<ref>{{cite news |title=Iranian F5 Crashes, Pilot Killed, Co-Pilot Injured |url=https://en.radiofarda.com/a/iran-f5-fighter-crash-dezful/29454929.html |work=[[Radio Farda]] |date=August 27, 2018}}</ref>

On 25 December 2019, an MiG-29 crashed in the Sabalan mountains.<ref>{{cite news |title=Iranian fighter jet crashes; pilot's fate unknown |url=https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2019-12-25/iran-fighter-plane-crashes-near-border-pilots-fate-unknown |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |agency=[[Associated Press]] |date=Dec 25, 2019}}</ref>

===2020s===
The IRIAF air fleet is aging, some aircraft are more than 40 years old, and this has led to several crashes.<ref>[https://www.forbes.com/sites/pauliddon/2022/05/29/irans-vintage-fighter-jets-keep-falling-out-of-the-sky/?sh=2bc35997560d Iran’s Vintage Fighter Jets Keep Falling Out Of The Sky] - [[Forbes]] May 29, 2022</ref> In June 2021, another F-5F crashed near [[Dezful]], killing both crew.<ref>[https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-iran-9285ac8edbf4816e2501bd7411f86462 Iran TV: ‘Technical problem’ on fighter jet kills 2 pilots] - [[Associated Press|AP News]] June 1, 2021</ref> In February 2022, a F-5F crashed into a school in [[Tabriz]], killing both crew and a person on the ground.<ref>[https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20220221-iranian-fighter-jet-crashes-into-school-three-killed Iranian fighter jet crashes into school, three killed] - [[France24]] 21/02/2022</ref> In May 2022, two Chinese-built [[Chengdu J-7]] crashed east of [[Isfahan]], killing the pilots.<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/two-iranian-pilots-killed-after-f7-jet-crashes-irna-2022-05-24/ Two Iranian pilots killed after F7 jet crashes, IRNA reports] - [[Reuters]] May 24, 2022</ref>

Since the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]] in February 2022, Iran and Russia have formed closer relations, with Iran supplying Russia with [[loitering munition]]s such as the [[HESA Shahed 136]]. Subsequently, Russia has begun to supply Iran with more advanced weapon systems, namely the [[Yakovlev Yak-130]] jet trainer, with the first two delivered in September 2023.<ref>{{cite web |first=Stetson |last=Payne |url=https://www.twz.com/iran-receives-russian-yak-130-advanced-trainer-jets |title=Iran Receives Russian Yak-130 Advanced Trainer Jets |website=twz.com |date=2 September 2023 |access-date=27 September 2024}}</ref>

====Iran–Israel War====
Due to ageing and outdated equipment, the IRIAF was unable to counter the [[Israeli Air Force]] (IAF) during the June 2025 [[Iran–Israel War]], enabling the IAF to achieve [[Air supremacy|air superiority]] over Iran; there was no sign that IRIAF fighter jets even left the ground.<ref name="auto"/><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Lubell |first1=Maayan |last2=Bayer |first2=Lili |last3=Toksabay |first3=Ece |last4=Al-Khalidi |first4=Suleiman |date=2025-06-17 |title=Israeli air power reigns over Iran, but needs US for deeper impact |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/israeli-air-power-reigns-over-iran-needs-us-deeper-impact-2025-06-17/ |access-date=2025-06-17 |work=Reuters |language=en}}</ref> Initial waves of airstrikes by the [[Israeli Air Force]] reportedly destroyed two parked F-14 Tomcats,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rogoway |first=Tyler |date=2025-06-16 |title=Iranian F-14 'Persian Tomcats' Obliterated In Israeli Airstrike |url=https://www.twz.com/air/irans-f-14-persian-tomcats-obliterated-in-israeli-airstrike |access-date=2025-06-17 |website=The War Zone |language=en-US}}</ref> while another Israeli airstrike the following week destroyed three more parked F-14s, according to Israeli sources.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/idf-spokesman-says-three-iranian-f-14-fighter-jets-destroyed-in-latest-strikes/ | title=IDF spokesman says three Iranian F-14 fighter jets destroyed in latest strikes | work=[[The Times of Israel]] |last=Fabian |first=Emanuel |location=Jerusalem |date=21 June 2025 |access-date=25 July 2025}}</ref> The [[Israel Defense Forces]] (IDF) produced evidence that it destroyed what was reportedly the IRIAF's sole operable [[aerial tanker]], a KC-707 parked at [[Mashhad Shahid Hasheminejad International Airport]], about {{cvt|2250|km|mi}} from Israel; this is possibly the farthest strike ever undertaken by the IDF.<ref name=NYT-tanker>{{cite news |first=Christoph |last=Koettl |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/06/15/world/iran-israel-nuclear/israel-appears-to-have-destroyed-a-refueling-plane-in-irans-far-east-satellite-imagery-and-video-shows |title=Israel appears to have destroyed a refueling plane in Iran's far east, satellite imagery and video shows |work=[[The New York Times]] |location=New York City |url-access=limited |date=15 June 2025 |access-date=25 July 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Volodymyr B. |url=https://militarnyi.com/en/news/israel-destroys-iran-s-only-and-unique-boeing-707-tanker/ |title=Israel Destroys Iran's Only and Unique Boeing 707 Tanker |website=militarnyi.com |date=16 June 2025 |access-date=20 June 2025}}</ref> An expert interviewed by ''[[The New York Times]]'' said that the destruction of the tanker would have little immediate effect because the IRIAF had not recently been conducting aerial refueling.<ref name=NYT-tanker/>

On 22 June 2025, the United States conducted [[United States strikes on Iranian nuclear sites|airstrikes against Iranian nuclear facilities]] using multiple [[B-2 Spirit]] bombers of the [[United States Air Force]] and [[Tomahawk missile]]s launched from an unnamed [[United States Navy]] submarine. No response by the IRIAF was detected, US officials said.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://apnews.com/article/iran-fordo-us-strike-trump-israel-nuclear-sites-320a85327f94ed7496f09564261f3148 |work=Associated Press |last1=Amiri |first1=Farnoush |last2=Kinnard |first2=Meg|date=22 June 2025|access-date=26 July 2025|title=How the US bombarded Iranian nuclear sites without detection}}</ref>

== Structure ==
'''Note:''' former outdated Jane's Sentinel estimate of units 1993 data (Source: Jane's Sentinel, Islamic Republic of Iran, 1993, – not complete) has now been replaced by newer 2019 data.<ref name="my.ihs.com">{{cite web| url = https://my.ihs.com/Janes?th=janes&callingurl=https%3a%2f%2fjanes.ihs.com%2f| title = Janes {{!}} Login for world leading open source defence intelligence}} Janes 360 Military Capabilities Assessment 2019</ref><ref name="aa.com.tr">{{cite web| url = https://www.aa.com.tr/en/analysis/analysis-iran-s-real-military-capacity-in-context/1726974| title = ANALYSIS - Iran's real military capacity in context}} Irans real capacity in context</ref>

The IRIAF's composition has changed very little since 1979. There were limited relocations and unit disbandments in the late 1980s (F-4D/E and F-14 fleet at Shiraz and Mehrabad). Deployments during the war with Iraq were mainly temporary. In 1985, a major reorganization of existing air-defense SAM and AAA units took place. There were not any major reorganizations in the 1990s.

Iranian airforce equipment, capabilities, and performance strongly influenced the development of the Iraqi Air Force (IQAF) in the 1980s, and the [[United Arab Emirates Air Force]] in the 1990s.

In 2013, the Iranian authorities changed their command structure, relating to tactical air bases, military installations, and civil airports. Almost all airfields previously designated as being of some strategic importance for contingency scenarios, have now been made suitable for combined military and civilian usage.

This is in accordance with the IRIAF operating small composite units spread out all over Iran, easy to relocate at very short notice, instead of the former, large fixed-based units. All dual-use airfields have basic cross-service capabilities to handle all IRIAF aircraft. The main facilities for logistics and technical overhaul remain concentrated at some larger airfields.

Iran has been under sanctions since 1979, with Iran servicing and overhauling its own military and civilian aircraft. In 2015, less tension in international relations led to a decrease in the sanctions, and the Iranian government was able to order a new fleet of civilian aircraft, replacing the aged types.

===Jane's 360 military capabilities assessment 2019===
[[File:Mirage F1BQ of IRIAF.jpg|thumb|A Mirage F1BQ landing]]
[[File:A Sukhoi Su-24MK of IRIAF flighting over Shiraz.jpg|thumb|right|An Su-24MK of the IRIAF flying over Shahid Dastghaib International Airport]]
{|class="wikitable"
|-
!Name
!Usage
!Location
!Aircraft
|-
|Ahmadi
|Reserve airfield
|29°05′57″N 51°02′07″E
|none
|-
|Araz
|Reserve airfield
|39°06′40″N 45°20′02″E
|none
|-
|Bandar Abbas
|Combined Mil/Civ airfield
|27°13′05″N 56°22′40″E
|Composite unit [[McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II|F-4 Phantom II]]; [[Chengdu J-7|F-7 Airguard]]
|-
|Bandar e Jask
|Combined Mil/Civ airfield
|25°39′11″N 57°47′51″E
|Maritime patrol flight [[Lockheed P-3 Orion|Lockheed P-3F Orion]]
|-
|Birjand
|Combined Mil/Civ airfield
|32°53′53″N 59°15′58″E
|Unknown composite unit
|-
|Bishe Kola
|Combined Mil/Civ airfield
|36°39′18″N 52°20′58″E
|[[HESA Shahed 278]] light utility helicopter flight
|-
|[[Bushehr Airport|Bushehr]]
|Combined Mil/Civ airfield
|28°56′41″N 50°50′04″E
|Composite unit F-4;[[Grumman F-14 Tomcat]]; UAV's
|-
|Chahbahar
|Combined Mil/Civ airfield
|25°26′41″N 60°22′55″E
|Composite unit [[Dassault Mirage F1]]; F-4
|-
|Darrahi
|Reserve airfield
|29°22′33″N 51°04′03″E
|none
|-
|Dezful
|Combined Mil/Civ
|32°25′57″N 48°24′07″E
|Composite unit [[Northrop F-5]]; F-7 Airguard
|-
|Firuzabad
|Army aviation base
|35°31'43"N 51°30'26"E
|Composite helicopter unit Shahed 278
|-
|Gorreh
|Reserve airfield
|29°54′25″N 50°25′43″E
|none
|-
|Hamadan
|Combined Mil/Civ airfield
|35°12′37″N 48°39′12″E
|Composite unit F-4; F-7
|-
|Hesa
|Aircraft manufacturer
|32°55′44″N 51°33′40″E
|tech/log/maintenance plant
|-
|Isfahan / Badr
|Army aviation; tech overhaul base
| 32°37′16″N 51°41′49″E
|Composite helicopter units
|-
|Isfahan / international
|Combined Mil/Civ
|32°45'10"N 51°52'44"E
|Composite unt F-14; [[Mikoyan MiG-29]]
|-
|Isfahan / Sahid Vatanpour
|Army aviation; logistics base
|32°34′09″N 51°41′12″E
|Composite helicopter unit
|-
|Kashan
|Combined Mil/Civ airfield
|33°53′43″N 51°34′37″E
|Composite fighter flights
|-
|Kerman
|Airbase
|30°15′57″N 56°57′34″E
|Composite fighter/attack aircraft
|-
|Kermanshah
|Airbase
|34°20′45″N 47°09′29″E
|Composite unit [[Sukhoi Su-24]]; [[Sukhoi Su-25]]
|-
|Kharg Island
|Combined Mil/Civ airfield
|26°31′33″N 53°58′52″E
|Composite unit [[Antonov An-74]]; [[Harbin Y-12]] aircraft; [[Mil Mi-17]] helicopters; UAV's
|-
|Kish
|Airbase
|26°31′33″N 53°58′52″E
|Composite fighter unit
|-
|Manzariyeh
|Army aviation base
|34°59′02″N 50°48′22″E
|[[Embraer EMB 312 Tucano]]  trainer/light attack
|-
|Mashhad
|Combined Mil/Civ airfield
|36°14′07″N 59°38′38″E
|Composite unit F-4; F-5
|-
|Masjed Soleyman
|Airbase
|31°59′58″N 49°16′16″E
|Composite unit F-14; F-4
|-
|Mehrshahr
|Training base
|35°46′34″N 50°52′51″E
|Training [[Pilatus PC-6 Porter]]; Embraer 312
|-
|Omidiyeh
|Combined Mil/Civ airfield
|30°49′51″N 49°32′35″E
|Unknown composite units
|-
|Shiraz
|Combined Mil/Civ airfield; logistics; tech overhaul
|29°32′11″N 52°35′18″E
|Composite unit [[Ilyushin Il-76]] airlift; P-3F maritime patrol; Su-24 attack; [[Bell 214]] light utility
|-
|Soga
|Combined Mil/Civ airfield
|37°37′40″N 56°10′23″E
|Composite airlift unit [[Lockheed C-130 Hercules|Lockheed C-130H Hercules]]; [[Boeing 707]]
|-
|Tabriz
|Combined Mil/Civ airfield
|38°07′44″N 46°14′24″E
|Composite unit F-5; F-14; [[Boeing CH-47 Chinook]]
|-
|Tehran / Doshan Tappeh
|Training/logistics base
|35°42'00"N 51°28'22"E
|Training/conversion Chengdu F-7; Northrop F-5B; Mirage F-1BQ
|-
|Tehran / Ghale Morghi
|Closed
|35°38′41″N 51°22′51″E
|None
|-
|Tehran / Mehrabad
|Combined Mil/Civ airfield; logistics; tech overhaul
|35°41′19″N 51°18′46″E
|Composite unit MiG-29; Su-24; Boeing 707; C-130; [[Fokker F27 Friendship]]; CH-47
|-
|Urmia
|Combined Mil/Civ airfield
|37°40′15″N 45°04′19″E
|Composite unit helicopter / transporter aircraft
|-
|Zahedan
|Combined Mil/Civ airfield
|29°28′29″N 60°54′22″E
|Composite unit F-4; F-5; Su-24
|}
<ref name="my.ihs.com"/><ref name="aa.com.tr"/>

A 1993 ''Jane’s Sentinel'' report listed Iran's air bases and the types of aircraft stationed at each. Mehrabad (TAB 1) was the largest, hosting a mix of fighters (F-5, F-7, F-14, MiG-29), transport planes (C-130, Il-76), and commercial jets. Other major bases included Tabriz, Shiraz, Isfahan, and Bandar Abbas, each with squadrons of U.S.- and Chinese-made fighter jets and transport aircraft. Some bases, like Ghale Morghi (TAB 11), were used for pilot training. Many aircraft types were spread across bases, including older F-4 Phantoms, F-5s, F-7s, and transport planes like the C-130.

==Commanders==
{{Ranks of the Iranian Army}}
* 1923–1924, Reza Mizani
* 1924–1930, [[Ahmad Nakhjavan]]
* 1930–1931, Ahmad Mirza-Khosravani
* 1931–1932, [[Ahmad Nakhjavan]]
* 1931–1933, Sadegh Koupal
* 1933–1937, [[Ahmad Nakhjavan]]
* 1937–1941, Ahmad Mirza-Khosravani
* 1941 (caretaker), [[Karim Buzarjomehri]]
* 1942, Majid Firouz
* 1942–1943, Mohammad Nakhjavan
* 1943, Sharafeddin Ghahremani
* 1943, Majid Firouz and Mir-Mohammad Mohanna (co-commanders)
* 1943, [[Ahmad Nakhjavan]]
* 1943, Mir-Mohammad Mohanna
* 1943–1944, Mohammad-Hossein Firouz
* 1946–1947, Mohammad-Hossein Amidi
* 1947–1948, [[Hedayatollah Gilanshah]]
* 1948–1949, Mir-Mohammad Mohanna
* 1949–1950, Mehdi Sepahpour
* 1950–1951, Nouri Alaei
* 1951–1952, Mehdi Sepahpour
* 1952–1953, Hedayatollah Gilanshah
* 1953–1954, Mohammad Moeini
* 1954–1957, [[Hedayatollah Gilanshah]]
* 1957–1975, [[Mohammad Amir Khatami]]
* 1975–1977 [[Fazael Tadayon]] 
* 1977–1979, [[Amir Hossein Rabii]]
* 1979, [[Kiumars Saghafi]]
* 1979, [[Saeed Mehdiyoun]]
* 1979, [[Shapour Azarbarzin]]
* 1979, [[Asghar Imanian]]
* 1979–1980, [[Amir-Bahman Bagheri]]
* 1980–1981, [[Javad Fakoori]]
* 1981–1983, [[Mohammad-Hossein Moeinpour]]
* 1983–1986, [[Houshang Seddigh]]
* 1986–1995, [[Mansour Sattari]]
* 1995–2001, Habib Baghaei
* 2001–2004, Reza Pardis
* 2004–2006, Karim Qavami
* 2006–2008, [[Ahmad Meyghani]]
* 2008–2018, [[Hassan Shahsafi]]
* 2018–2021, [[Aziz Nasirzadeh]]
* 2021–present, [[Hamid Vahedi]]

==Aircraft==
{{main|List of aircraft of the Iranian Air Force}}

=== Current inventory ===
<gallery>
Iranian Air Force Grumman F-14A Tomcat (remix).jpg|An F-14A Tomcat of the IRIAF
IRIAF Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29A (9-12A) at Dezful.jpg|A MiG-29 sits on the tarmac at [[Dezful Airport]]
CH-47 Iran Air Force (remiex).jpg|An Iranian CH-47C Chinook
C-130E Iran Air Force THR May 2011.jpg|An Iranian C-130E
</gallery>
{| class="wikitable"
! style="text-align:center; background:#acc;"|Aircraft
! style="text-align: center; background:#acc;"|Origin
! style="text-align:l center; background:#acc;"|Type
! style="text-align:left; background:#acc;"|Variant
! style="text-align:center; background:#acc;"|In service
! style="text-align: center; background:#acc;"|Notes
|-
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="6"| [[Military aircraft#Combat aircraft|Combat aircraft]]
|-
| [[Chengdu J-7|Chengdu F-7]]
| [[China]]
| [[fighter aircraft|fighter]] 
| F-7M/N
| 17<ref name="World Air Forces 2025">{{cite web |last=Hoyle |first=Craig |year=2024 |title=World Air Forces 2025 |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/download?ac=106507 |access-date=28 January 2025 |publisher=Flight Global |doi=}}</ref>
| Chinese license-built [[MiG-21]]
|-
| [[McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II|F-4 Phantom II]]
| United States
|[[Ground attack aircraft|fighter-bomber]]
| [[List of McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II variants#Variants|D/E/RF]]
| 64<ref name="World Air Forces 2025"/>
|16 aircraft are configured for [[Reconnaissance aircraft|reconnaissance]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1987/1987%20-%202514.html |title=World Air Forces 1987 pg. 64 |publisher= flightglobal.com |access-date=4 June 2016}}</ref> 1 lost in 2025<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ranter |first=Harro |title=Accident McDonnell Douglas RF-4E-62-MC Phantom II 2-6510, Wednesday 22 January 2025 |url=https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/472377 |access-date=2025-01-26 |website=asn.flightsafety.org}}</ref>
|-
| [[Northrop F-5|F-5 Tiger II]]
| [[United States]]
|fighter
|[[Northrop F-5#Variants|F-5E]]
| 35<ref name="World Air Forces 2025"/>
|[[Israeli Air Force]] has claimed destroying two of F-5s but only has released video of destroying one of Iranian F-5s during [[2025 Iran-Israel war]]<ref name="defence-blog.com">{{Cite web|url=https://defence-blog.com/israeli-air-force-destroys-more-iranian-fighter-jets/ |title=Irsaeli Air Force destroys more Iranian fighter jets |date=22 June 2025|access-date=23 June 2025}}</ref>
|-
| [[Grumman F-14 Tomcat|F-14 Tomcat]]
| United States
|[[fighter aircraft|fighter]] / [[Interceptor aircraft|interceptor]]
| [[Grumman F-14 Tomcat#F-14A|F-14A/AM]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/iran-overhaulw-last-active-f-14-fleet-photos-2015-3?IR=T|title=Iran is overhauling the world's last active F-14 fleet|first=David|last=Cenciotti|work=The Aviationist|date=1 March 2015|access-date=16 March 2020}}</ref>
| ~35<ref name="World Air Forces 2025"/>
|[[Israeli Air Force]] has released two videos of destroying at least 5 Iranian F-14s during [[2025 Iran-Israel war]]<ref name="defence-blog.com"/>
|-
| [[HESA Azarakhsh]] 
| United States/Iran
| Light jet
|
| 6{{citation needed|date=September 2023}}
|rowspan="2"|Light jet based on [[Northrop F-5]]
|-
| [[HESA Kowsar]]
| United States/Iran
| Light jet
|
| 5<ref>{{cite web|first=Jeremy|last=Binnie|title=Iran announces delivery of Kowsar jets, shows F-5Fs|url=https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/iran-announces-delivery-of-kowsar-jets-shows-f-5fs|date=25 June 2020|access-date=2023-09-13|publisher=Janes}}</ref>
|-
| [[HESA Saeqeh]]
| United States/Iran
| [[Light fighter|Light jet]]
|
| 12{{citation needed|date=September 2023}}
|Iranian reverse-engineered [[Northrop F-5]]
|-
| [[Mikoyan MiG-29]]
| [[Soviet Union]]
| [[Multirole combat aircraft|multirole]]
| MiG-29B
| 24<ref name="World Air Forces 2025"/>
| 6 used for training<ref name="World Air Forces 2025"/>
|-
| [[Dassault Mirage F1|Mirage F1]]
| [[France]]
|[[fighter aircraft|multirole]]
| [[Dassault Mirage F1#Mirage F1E|F1EQ]]
| 12<ref name="World Air Forces 2025"/>
|Obtained from the [[Iraqi Air Force]] during the [[Gulf War]]
|-
| [[Sukhoi Su-24]]
| Russia
| [[Attack aircraft|attack]]  
|Su-24MK
| 21<ref name="World Air Forces 2025"/>
|
|-
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="6"| [[Maritime patrol aircraft|Maritime patrol]]
|-
| [[Dassault Falcon 50]]
| [[France]]
| [[Maritime patrol aircraft|maritime patrol]]
|
|1<ref name="World Air Forces 2025"/>
|
|-
| [[Lockheed P-3 Orion|P-3 Orion]]
| United States
| [[Maritime patrol aircraft|maritime patrol]]
| [[List of Lockheed P-3 Orion variants#P-3F|P-3F]]
|5<ref name="World Air Forces 2025"/>
|
|-
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="6"| [[Aerial refueling|Tanker]]
|-
| [[Boeing 707]]
| United States
| aerial refueling / transport
|
| 3<ref name="World Air Forces 2025"/>{{efn|One probably destroyed in the [[June 2025 Israeli strikes on Iran|June 2025 Israeli airstrikes]]<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=The New York Times|author=Christoph Koettl|title=Israel appears to have destroyed a refueling plane in Iran's far east, satellite imagery and video shows.|date=June 15, 2025|url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/06/15/world/iran-israel-nuclear#israel-appears-to-have-destroyed-a-refueling-plane-in-irans-far-east-satellite-imagery-and-video-shows}}</ref>}}
|
|-
| [[Boeing 747]]
| United States
| aerial refueling / transport
|
| 3<ref name="World Air Forces 2025"/>
|
|-
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="6"| [[Military transport aircraft|Transport]]
|-
| [[Boeing 707]]
| United States
| [[Air transports of heads of state and government|VIP transport]]
|
| 2<ref name="World Air Forces 2025"/>
| also used for [[electronic warfare]]
|-
| [[Boeing 747]]
| United States
| [[Air transports of heads of state and government|VIP transport]]
|
| 6<ref name="World Air Forces 2025"/>
|
|-
| [[Lockheed C-130 Hercules|C-130 Hercules]]
| United States
|[[Airlift#Tactical airlift|tactical airlifter]]
|[[Lockheed C-130 Hercules#Variants|C-130E/H]]
|28<ref name="World Air Forces 2025"/>
|
|-
| [[Ilyushin Il-76]]
| [[Russia]]
| [[Airlift#Strategic airlift|strategic airlifter]]
|
| 5<ref name="World Air Forces 2025"/>
|
|-
| [[Fokker F27 Friendship|Fokker F-27]]
| [[Netherlands]]
| transport
|
|5<ref name="World Air Forces 2025"/>
|
|-
| [[Pilatus PC-6 Porter|Pilatus PC-6]]
| [[Switzerland]]
| utility
|
| 13<ref name="World Air Forces 2025"/>
|[[STOL]] capable aircraft 
|-
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="6"| [[Helicopters]]
|-	
| [[Bell 206]]
| [[Italy]]
|utility
| 
| 3<ref name="World Air Forces 2025"/>
|one used as a [[Helicopter|rotorcraft]] trainer
|-
|[[Bell UH-1N Twin Huey|Bell 212]]
|Italy
|utility
|
|1<ref name="World Air Forces 2025"/>
|
|-
|[[Boeing CH-47 Chinook|CH-47 Chinook]]
| United States
|transport 
|[[Boeing CH-47 Chinook#CH-47C|CH-47C]]
|2<ref name="World Air Forces 2025"/>
|
|-
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="6"| [[Trainer (aircraft)|Trainers]]
|-
| [[Dassault Mirage F1|Mirage F1]]
| France
| conversion trainer
| [[Dassault Mirage F1#Mirage F1E|F1BQ]]
| 5<ref name="World Air Forces 2025"/>
|obtained from fleeing [[Iraqi Air Force|IQAF]] pilots during the [[Gulf War]]
|-
| [[Pilatus PC-7]]
| Switzerland
|trainer 
| 
| 34<ref name="World Air Forces 2024">{{cite web |last = Hoyle |first = Craig |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/download?ac=98881|title = World Air Forces 2024|publisher= [[FlightGlobal]] |year= 2023 |access-date= 13 April 2024}}</ref>
|
|-
|[[PAC Super Mushshak]]
|[[Pakistan]] 
|trainer
|
|25<ref>{{cite book |author=International Institute for Strategic Studies |author-link=International Institute for Strategic Studies |title=The Military Balance 2020 |date=15 February 2020 |publisher=[[Routledge]] |isbn=9780367466398 |location=London, England |page=351 |ref=IISS2020}}</ref>
|
|-
| [[Northrop F-5]]
| United States
| conversion trainer
|[[Northrop F-5#Variants|F-5B/F]]
| 15<ref name="World Air Forces 2025"/>
|
|-
|[[HESA Yasin]] 
|[[Iran]]
|trainer
|
|1<ref>{{Cite web |title=Iran Begins to Mass-Produce Jet Trainer - Politics news - Tasnim News Agency |url=https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2023/03/11/2865604/iran-begins-to-mass-produce-jet-trainer |access-date=2023-04-11 |website=Tasnim News Agency |language=en}}</ref>
|1 crashed in 2024<ref>{{Cite web |title=Accident HESA Yasin , Wednesday 4 December 2024 |url=https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/464194 |access-date=2024-12-06 |website=asn.flightsafety.org}}</ref>
|-
| [[IRIAF Parastu-14]]{{citation needed|date=April 2024}}
| Iran
|trainer
|
| 
| reverse-engineered [[Beechcraft Bonanza]] 
|-
| [[Chengdu J-7|Chengdu F-7]]
| [[China]]
| conversion trainer 
| [[Chengdu J-7#Variants|FT-7]]
| 1<ref name="World Air Forces 2025"/>
|
|-
|[[Yakovlev Yak-130|Yak-130]]
|[[Russia]]
|trainer/CAS 
|
|6<ref name="World Air Forces 2025"/>
|Also armed with  [[R-73 (missile)|R-73E SRAAM]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Satam |first=Parth |date=2024-12-12 |title=First Image of Iran's Yak-130 with R-73 Air-to-Air Missile Emerges |url=https://theaviationist.com/2024/12/12/iran-yak-130-r-73-aam/ |access-date=2024-12-14 |website=The Aviationist |language=en-US}}</ref>
|}

In 2007, Iraq asked Iran to return some of the scores of Iraqi fighter planes that flew there ahead of the Gulf War in 1991.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iraq-airforce-idUSCOL54415720070805|title = Iraq air force wants Iran to give back its planes|newspaper = Reuters|date = 5 August 2007|last1 = Colvin|first1 = Ross}}</ref> In 2014, Iran was receptive to the demands and was working on refurbishing an unspecified number of jets.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/world/article/1542427/new-us-planes-slow-arrive-iraq-seeks-remnants-saddams-air-force-bomb-isil|title=With new US planes slow to arrive, Iraq seeks remnants of Saddam's air force to bomb ISIL|date=28 June 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2014/06/27/be172f43-cf98-4677-8e6d-4d64a5ae5e1d_story.html| title = Iraq cobbling together makeshift air force to fight ISIS - The Washington Post| newspaper = [[The Washington Post]]}}</ref> In late 2014, Iran returned 130 military aircraft to Iraq.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20140623-iran-returns-military-aircraft-to-iraq-after-20-years/| title = Iran returns military aircraft to Iraq after 20 years – Middle East Monitor| date = 23 June 2014}}</ref>

==Reported future expansion plans ==

In October 2020, a 13-year long [[United Nations|UN]] [[arms embargo]] imposed on Iran was lifted. However, the poor state of Iran's finances and the threat of American sanctions on those trading with Iran made it unlikely that Tehran would make large foreign orders for military equipment.<ref>
{{cite news
|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/18/iran-hails-lifting-un-arms-embargo-momentous-day-sanctions-us-protests
|title=Iran Hails Lifting of 13-year UN Arms Embargo as 'Momentous Day'
|last=Wintour
|first=Patrick
|work=The Guardian
|date=October 18, 2020
| access-date =November 20, 2020
| quote =Iran’s parlous financial state, and the continued threat of US sanctions on anyone trading with the country, means Tehran is unlikely to go on a short-term buying spree. }}
</ref> In November 2023, deputy defense minister Mehdi Farahi said that plans had been finalized for the Iranian armed forces to receive [[Sukhoi Su-35]]s, [[Yakovlev Yak-130]]s and [[Mil Mi-28]]s.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Iran finalises deal to buy Russian fighter jets - Tasnim |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/iran-finalises-deal-buy-russian-fighter-jets-tasnim-2023-11-28/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240514182144/https://www.reuters.com/world/iran-finalises-deal-buy-russian-fighter-jets-tasnim-2023-11-28/ |archive-date=2024-05-14 |access-date=2025-01-19 |work=Reuters |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Deal Done, Iran to Get Mil Mi-28 Chopper, Sukhoi Su-35 Jet - Politics news |url=https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2023/11/28/2996773/deal-done-iran-to-get-mil-mi-28-chopper-sukhoi-su-35-jet |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=Tasnim News Agency |language=en}}</ref>

There have been reports that the IRIAF would be interested in the following aircraft for its modernization program:

* [[Su-30]]: In 2007, it was reported that Israeli defense officials were investigating a potential Iran–Russia deal, in which Iran would pay $1&nbsp;billion for a dozen squadrons’ worth of Su-30 jets.{{citation needed|date=February 2023}} Iran and Russia have both denied this and have rejected these claims as propaganda.<ref>[[DEBKAfile]] [http://www.debka.com/headline.php?hid=4449 DEBKA Reports: Iran buys 250 long-distance Sukhoi fighter-bombers, 20 fuel tankers, from Russia] 1 August 2007</ref><ref>''Navy Times'' [http://www.navytimes.com/news/2007/07/navy_iran_fighters_070730w/ Reports: Iran may buy 250 jets from Russia] 1 August 2007</ref><ref>defensetech {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20071011213755/http://defensetech.org/archives/003636.html Iran's New Fighter?]}} 2 August 2007</ref> In September 2008, a dozen Su-30s were seen in a broadcast of the [[Mehr News Agency]]. The report reads: "In this joint maneuver of the IRIAF and the AFAGIR which is called the 'Guardians of the Nations Skies' the Air Forces of Iran have tested domestically developed systems as well as newly purchased systems (from Russia and China)."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mehrnews.com/fa/newsdetail.aspx?NewsID=751789 |title=Iran, world, political, sport, economic news and headlines |date=17 September 2008 |publisher=MehrNews.com |access-date=2013-04-22}}</ref> The purchase of this fighter would improve Iranian air force capability significantly, as it would be able to cover almost the entire Middle East from Iranian territory.
* [[Sukhoi Su-35|Su-35]]: In 2016, Iran was reportedly interested in this aircraft in order to obtain a crucial edge over its potential rivals in the region.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://parstoday.com/es/news/iran-i907|title=Informe: Irán podría adquirir varios cazas modernos Sujoi Su-35|date=February 15, 2016|website=Pars Today}}</ref>
* [[Chengdu J-10|J-10]]: In 2007, the Russian news agency [[RIA Novosti|Novosti]] reported that Iran had signed a deal with China to buy two squadrons/24 of [[Chengdu J-10|J-10]] fighter planes, with Russian-made [[AL-31]]FN engines. The total cost of the planes is estimated at $1&nbsp;billion, and deliveries are expected between 2008 and 2010. China denied that it had agreed to sell its home-grown fighter jets to Iran, saying no talks had taken place. Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao told reporters: "It's not true, it is an irresponsible report, China has not had talks with Iran on J-10 jets."<ref>Yossi Melman. "[https://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/916317.html Iran to buy from China 24 fighter jets based on Israeli technology]" ''Haaretz'', 24 October 2007.</ref> In 2025, after the [[Iran–Israel war]], the Iranian air force pushed to acquire the Chinese J-10C instead of the Russian [[Sukhoi Su-35]] due to delays in its delivery by Russia and due to the J-10C's performance in the [[2025 India–Pakistan conflict]].<ref>
Multiple Sources:
* {{Cite web |date=2025-07-26 |title=Iran eyes Chinese J-10C fighters amid delays in Russian jet deliveries {{!}} Caliber.Az |url=https://caliber.az/en/post/iran-eyes-chinese-j-10c-fighters-amid-delays-in-russian-jet-deliveries |access-date=2025-07-25 |website=caliber.az |language=en}}
* {{Cite web |last=Gilholy |first=Georgia |date=2025-07-03 |title=China's J-10C Fighter Could Soon Fly for Iran |url=https://nationalsecurityjournal.org/chinas-j-10c-fighter-could-soon-fly-for-iran/ |access-date=2025-07-25 |website=National Security Journal |language=en-US}}
* {{Cite web |date=2025-07-25 |title=Iran considers purchasing Chinese J-10 fighter jets following Israel ceasefire |url=https://in-cyprus.philenews.com/international/iran-considers-chinese-j10-fighter-jets-after-israel-war-ceasefire/ |access-date=2025-07-25 |website=in-cyprus.philenews.com |language=en-US}}
* {{Cite news |last=Sharifi |first=Kian |last2=Siddique |first2=Abubakar |date=2025-07-01 |title=Iran Pivots Toward China, But Is Beijing Ready To Play Ball? |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-china-fighter-jets-russia-partnership/33460009.html |access-date=2025-07-25 |work=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |language=en}}
* {{Cite web |date=2025-07-22 |title=Iran’s Game-Changer: How China’s J-10C Could Tilt Middle East Airpower |url=https://defencesecurityasia.com/en/irans-game-changer-how-chinas-j-10c-could-tilt-middle-east-airpower-2/ |access-date=2025-07-25 |website=Defence Security Asia |language=en-GB}}
* {{Cite web |last=Tiwari |first=Sakshi |date=2025-06-29 |title=J-10C vs Su-35: Is Iran "Waking-Up" To Acquire Chinese Fighter Jets Over Russian Flankers After IAF Drubbing ? |url=https://www.eurasiantimes.com/chinas-j-10c-battles-russian-su-35-as-tehran/ |access-date=2025-07-25 |website=EURASIAN TIMES |language=en-US}}
* {{Cite web |title=Iran Plans to Buy Chinese J-10C Instead of Russian Su-35 |url=https://militarnyi.com/en/news/iran-plans-to-buy-chinese-j-10c-instead-of-russian-su-35/ |access-date=2025-07-25 |website=Militarnyi |language=en-US}}
</ref>

==Facilities==
{{See also|List of Iranian Air Force Bases}}
{{Location map+|Iran|width=400|float=right
 |caption=The location of major air bases in Iran
 |places=
  {{Location map~ | Iran
    | label = Tehran
    | position= right
    | marksize = 18
    | link =  Mehrabad International Airport
    | mark = Piktogramm Militaerflugplatz.svg
    | lat_deg = 35.4119
    | lon_deg = 51.1846
  }}
  {{Location map~ | Iran
    | label = Hamadan
    | position = top
    | marksize = 18
    | mark = Piktogramm Militaerflugplatz.svg
    | link = Hamadan Airbase
    | lat_deg = 35.1237
    | lon_deg = 48.3912
  }}
  {{Location map~ | Iran
    | label = Tabriz
    | position = bottom
    | marksize = 18
    | link = Tabriz International Airport
    | mark = Piktogramm Militaerflugplatz.svg
    | lat_deg = 38.0744
    | lon_deg = 46.1424
  }}
  {{Location map~ | Iran
    | label = Dezful
    | position = top
    | marksize = 18
    | link = Dezful Airport
    | mark = Piktogramm Militaerflugplatz.svg
    | lat_deg = 32.2604
    | lon_deg = 48.2351
  }}
  {{Location map~ | Iran
    | label = Omidiyeh
    | position = bottom
    | marksize = 18
    | link = Omidiyeh Air Base
    | mark = Piktogramm Militaerflugplatz.svg
    | lat_deg = 30.5007
    | lon_deg = 49.3206
  }}
  {{Location map~ | Iran
    | label = Bushehr
    | position= bottom
    | marksize = 18
    | link = Bushehr Airport
    | mark = Piktogramm Militaerflugplatz.svg
    | lat_deg    = 28
    | lat_min    = 56
    | lat_sec    = 41.32
    | lon_deg    = 50
    | lon_min    = 50
    | lon_sec    = 04.69
  }}
  {{Location map~ | Iran
    | label = Shiraz
    | position = right
    | marksize = 18
    | link =  Shiraz International Airport
    | mark = Piktogramm Militaerflugplatz.svg
    | lat_deg = 29.3211
    | lon_deg = 52.3518
  }}
  {{Location map~ | Iran
    | label = Isfahan
    | position = top
    | marksize = 18
    | link =   Isfahan International Airport
    | mark = Piktogramm Militaerflugplatz.svg
    | lat_deg = 32.4449
    | lon_deg = 51.5117
  }}
  {{Location map~ | Iran
    | label = Bandar Abbas
    | position = top
    | marksize = 18
    | link =    Bandar Abbas International Airport
    | mark = Piktogramm Militaerflugplatz.svg
    | lat_deg = 27.135
    | lon_deg = 56.2240
  }}
  {{Location map~ | Iran
    | label = Chabahar
    | position = top
    | marksize = 18
    | link =    Konarak Airport
    | mark = Piktogramm Militaerflugplatz.svg
    | lat_deg = 25.2641
    | lon_deg = 60.2255
  }}
  {{Location map~ | Iran
    | label = Birjand
    | position = top
    | marksize = 18
    | link = Birjand International Airport
    | mark = Piktogramm Militaerflugplatz.svg
    | lat_deg = 32.5353
    | lon_deg = 59.1558
  }}
  {{Location map~ | Iran
    | label = Zahedan
    | position = left
    | marksize = 18
    | link =  Zahedan International Airport
    | mark = Piktogramm Militaerflugplatz.svg
    | lat_deg = 29.2829
    | lon_deg = 60.5422
  }}
  {{Location map~ | Iran
    | label = Mashhad
    | position = left
    | marksize = 18
    | link =   Mashhad International Airport
    | mark = Piktogramm Militaerflugplatz.svg
    | lat_deg = 36.1407
    | lon_deg = 59.3838
  }}
  {{Location map~ | Iran
    | label = Kermanshah
    | position = right
    | marksize = 18
    | link =    Kermanshah Airport
    | mark = Piktogramm Militaerflugplatz.svg
    | lat_deg = 34.2045
    | lon_deg = 47.0929
  }}
  {{Location map~ | Iran
    | label = Kerman
    | position = top
    | marksize = 18
    | link =    Kerman Airport
    | mark = Piktogramm Militaerflugplatz.svg
    | lat_deg = 30.1557
    | lon_deg = 56.5734
  }}
  {{Location map~ | Iran
    | label = Masjed Soleyman
    | marksize = 18
    | link =    Masjed Soleyman Airport
    | mark = Piktogramm Militaerflugplatz.svg
    | lat_deg = 31.5958
    | position= right
    | lon_deg = 49.1616
  }}
}}

In the last several years{{when|date=September 2021}} several new airfields have been constructed in central- and eastern Iran. Some of these facilities have since seen full-scale deployments of IRIAF units, and it now appears that at least two became permanent "Tactical Fighter Bases" (TFBs). These are the first such bases established since 1979.

Except new airfields, with Chinese support, the IRIAF constructed a number of new early warning radar sites around Iran. Its ability to control the national airspace remains limited—mainly due to the rugged terrain and lack of airborne early warning assets.

Aside from maintaining 17 TFBs, the IRIAF operates numerous temporary detachments on several minor airfields around Iran. Ex-Iraqi Mirage F.1EQs, usually based at TFB.14, near Mashhad, were frequently seen over the Persian Gulf in 2005 and 2006.

==Major operations==
* [[Iran–Iraq War]]
** [[Operation Kaman 99]], Iran's biggest air raid during the Iran–Iraq war, with a strength of more than 140 aircraft.
** [[Operation Scorch Sword]], a 1980 Iranian airstrike on an Iraqi nuclear reactor under construction.
** [[H-3 airstrike]], The IRIAF's boldest operation in Iraq.
** [[Operation Morvarid]], a successful joint operation by the IRIAF and the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy in the Persian Gulf against the Iraqi Air Force and Navy.
** [[Operation Sultan 10]], an operation to disrupt delivery of new French fighter planes to the Iraqi Air force and the associated training of personnel, during the Iran–Iraq war.

==Ranks==
{{main|Military ranks of Iran}}

===Commissioned officer ranks===
The rank insignia of [[commissioned officer]]s.
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armed Forces/OF/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Air Forces/OF/Iran}}
|}

===Other ranks===
The rank insignia of Iranian [[non-commissioned officer]]s and [[Enlisted rank|enlisted personnel]].
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armies/OR/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Air Forces/OR/Iran}}
|}

==See also==
* [[Air force history of Iran]]
* [[F-14 Tomcat operational history]]
* [[Iranian aerial victories during the Iran–Iraq war]]
* [[Iraqi aerial victories during the Iran–Iraq war]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Air force of Iran}}
* {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160507132820/http://nahaja.aja.ir/Portal/Home/ |title=Official website |date=7 May 2016}}

{{Iran Military}}
{{Islamic Republic of Iran Army}}
{{Air forces}}
{{NAHAJA Commanders}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Islamic Republic Of Iran Air Force}}
[[Category:Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force| ]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1979]]
[[Category:1979 establishments in Iran]]