Russian/Soviet help is probably the best explanation. How many hours do Iranian pilots get in these planes. One would think that after the sanctions and almost-decade long war, airframe life would be pretty much done by now.
This looks more of a PR stunt. Can Iran really produce F-14 engine parts? That is a level of technology which Americans and Soviets took 30 years to reach and which China is still yet to reach. Why didn't Iran simply buy Su-27 flankers series.
True. Plus money is already paid. Apart from S-300, Chinese copies seems to be doing well. At least on the cost/ToT side. They can be a safe alternative.