The Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) has operated F-4s since 1968, and today retains a significant number of these aircraft as the backbone of its aging fighter force.
Iran was one of the largest export customers for the F-4 Phantom II, and its fighter pilots have been involved in a huge number of air combat operations over several generations. More than 200 Phantoms, including some 32 F-4Ds, 177 F-4Es and 16 RF-4Es, were all handed over before the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Now in service with the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF), the F-4 remains the backbone of its fighter squadrons.
Iran initially ordered 16 F-4Ds in 1967, followed by a second batch of 16, with the first aircraft arriving in September 1968. In 1969, Iran ordered 32 F-4Es under the Peace Roll II Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program and these started arriving from March 1971.
