Iran had only a few dozen F-14s and it shifted the balance of power significantly in the Iran-Iraq war, even in the presence of the powerful Iraqi air defense,

Iran had only a few dozen F-14s and it shifted the balance of power significantly in the Iran-Iraq war, even in the presence of the powerful Iraqi air defense, which the F-35 being stealthy doesn't need to worry about. Don't underestimate what a powerful modern fighter can do.