Episode

Ghosts of the Cold War: Iran’s F-14 Tomcats

Podcast: Cold War Cast
Published: Apr 13, 2026
Duration seconds: 2029
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Summary

Today we’re talking about the last Tomcats (you might remember them from “Top Gun”) on Earth - In Iran. This is a story of Iran and the United States aligned by the Cold War, then after the Islamic Revolution in 1979 the circumstances changed. Iran was left without American support for spare parts and maintenance. They kept the Tomcats flying by hook or crook through the war with Iraq and into the present day (well, maybe). This is a story of aviation history, Cold War politics, middle eastern conflict and one isolated nation defying the world. Enjoy!