In 1976 the Imperial Iranian Air Force started to take possession of what would be 80 total Grumman F-14 fighter interceptor aircraft along with 714 Phoenix Missiles. Although the government is now an Islamic Republic the F-14's are still in use today although only numbering about 40 as the other half are thought to be used for spare parts. They've proven to be very successful in combat and saw action in the Iraq-Iran war and Iranian police actions in Syria and against groups they consider to be rebels. I'm sure as Iranian Air Force has had these vehicles for decades now they've deconstructed and know every inch of them. Is it possible that at any point since purchasing the F-14 that they might have considered building their own version of the planes? More than that could they develop the Tomcat further to make improved models for future generations? Was it a technological or industrial problem? Has it just never made economic sense? When would they most likely have done something like this? Would they have needed the aid of a foreign partner or partners? Could they start producing their own Phoenix Missiles? Could they export either?