The Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (, romanized: Niruye Havâyiye Arteše Jomhuriye Eslâmiye) is the aviation branch of the Islamic Republic of 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 Iraq War formed the core of the IRIAF command. The Air Force ensures control of the skies during conflict, preventing enemy aircraft from gaining an advantage. Fighter jets, interceptors, and advanced radar systems are essential for maintaining dominance in the air.
