If I realy was Iran and my only interest was self-defence, I would invest all I could in S-400, S-300VM, Pantsir, Mig-31BM, and the most advanced Su-30 derivative I could get my hands on. Combined with long range anti-ship missiles, GLCM’s, and ballistic missiles (conventional warheads) to launch strikes against US ships and bases in theatre. At the same time subtly keeping the Iraqi insurgency going to keep US ground forces occupied.

Of course If I was the US I would then just enforce an embargo until Iran ran out of spares and money then wander in in twenty years time when the economy is in ruins.

The moral of the story is dont mess with the biggest monkey in the jungle.

I am a little sceptical about this report becouse it gives the wrong start date for fulcrum production, I wonder whether it is an earlier mig variant?

Considering how PLAN shipbuilding has been going lately I would not be surprised if this is the 054A but I have seen so many pictures of tankers cruise ships and other civlian vessels labeled as PLAN boats whilst under construction that I will reserve my judgement until we get more pictures and a super structure starts to emerge.

Isnt Antei 2500 S-300VM not S-300V?

Which flanker variant, Su-35, Su-30MKI, Su-35BM???

give them 50 years.