Thanks to the republicans. ( President Ford)
2007-01-20 13:34:21 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Military
Iran use to be one of the biggest clients of the US defense industry back when the Shah ruled. When he was kicked out of Iran and the radical Mullahs took over he didn't take the US weapons with him. So the radical fundementalists Muslims got them. But they were never suppose to work this long because the US stopped giving them spare parts. So I'm not sure why they are flying now.
2007-01-20 13:40:56 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
Iraq used to be an ally of the USA, thanks to a CIA-sponsored Coup d'etat during the Eisenhower administration. We then used Iran for listening and missile posts on their Soviet border. The Iranians were seen as partners against the USSR as well as Syria, et al.
The Iranians bought everything from the USA's military companies with the exception of nukes. This continued during GOP and Dem administrations. It wasn't strictly a "Ford" thing.
Sadly, the Dems screwed up. By not finding a way to replace the Shah when it was obvious that he needed to go, as well as offering him sanctuary, the Iranian fanatics were given power which they've held to this day. And to think that Jimmy Carter is seen as a foreign policy guru... jeez.
Unless the USA wanted to bomb all those F-14's, they would indeed still belong to Iran. However, they are mostly unable to fly, since spare parts and key upgrades, as well as pilot training, are not available for Iran. More recently, the F-14s have been replaced with Mirage and MiG fighters.
I have no idea why you think this is a bad thing. The Iranians barely held off the Iraqis, and we all know how the Iraqis did against the USA and the rest of the coalition fighters in 1991. The F-14s are frozen in time, and would be no match for updated F-14's, or most other modern aircraft.
2007-01-20 13:45:55 · answer #2 · answered by geek49203 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋
They were sold to Iran in the mid-70's when the Shah was still our puppet. They have managed to reverse engineer a lot of the parts needed to keep it flying. But they don't fly very long though.
2007-01-20 13:41:20 · answer #3 · answered by darkemoregan 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
People, We do not even fly the F-14 anymore. They are all in the bone yard. So maybe that is why Iran is flying them because we are not. We got rid if the last ones last year. Wake up people and answer what you know, come on!!!
2007-01-20 13:50:21 · answer #4 · answered by tbird 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Here is the correct answer. The planes were given to Iran, while the Shah was in power. BTW, he was a despot who tortured and killed his people if they opposed him. But the important thing was, he was an ally of the USA. Also, for your information, when he was thrown out of power in a power struggle, the USA saved all his millions for him.
2007-01-20 13:43:27 · answer #5 · answered by sparbles 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
They haven't started a war in like century's, there Persians, they have these planes, so they use them .whats wrong with that? if you had them you would use them there a country for Gods sake they have a right to have a military, we don't control the whole darn world .well we don't for right now give the feds enough time and our tax dollars and maybe they will control the whole middle east one day, theres evil people in our government that's for sure.also company's that makes those planes wont to make money that's the capitalist way of this country, to Make Money,
2007-01-20 13:51:37 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
A better question is why the USA hasn't taken out the Iranian military bases wholesale. Especially considering the fact that Iran is one of the main supporter of Terrorism.
I Cr 13;8a
1-19-7
2007-01-20 13:39:27 · answer #7 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 4⤋
When the Shaw of Iran was overthrown, the weapons systems purchased by him remained. But the US stopped supplying weapons and replacement parts. so over the years they have been cannibalizing there F-14 fleet to keep some in the air.
And they have managed to get parts off the black market.
And our people where hostages thanks to the Democrats and their gutless wonder, Carter.
2007-01-20 13:44:50 · answer #8 · answered by impalersca 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋
because they are not an agressive nation.
edit. they still will be they are having companies buy parts. they got more parts under reagan who kept carter from getting the hostages released. reagan used them as a political tool. name a country they have attacked?
2007-01-20 13:37:55 · answer #9 · answered by kissmy 4 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Because they have not run out of spare parts supplied by President Carter (Democrats).
2007-01-20 13:38:39 · answer #10 · answered by Alan Turing 5 · 2⤊ 3⤋