Dagenham
I have no doubt at all that the Iranians' technical ability as a nation is every bit as good as the best we can field in the "West". Many years ago, when we were friends with the land of the peacock throne, I operated Valiants on detachments to various Iranian Air Force bases. If ever we had a problem it was rapidly sorted by the base engineers. They could make parts overnight in their workshops that were as good as any replacement item would have been had we waited for it to have been shipped out from the UK. They were great people too. I honestly believe that national characteristics don't change and that, if it could get from under the ayatollas' yoke, Iran would become a vibrant, progressive nation.