I know it's funny to tout the F5 as a 4th Gen aircraft, it clearly isn't, but I do respect the Iranians talent at keeping their fleet of mid=-70s ac going considering they've had no OEM support since the revolution. As for taking Northrop's venerable little fighter and conducting a major modification to the vertical tail to produce the Saeqeh there must be some talent in country, whether home-grown or imported. Even the F14s remain(ed) viable for a considerable period after the split from the west.