According to a report from UPI news service, Tehran may be close to signing a deal with Beijing to buy 24 new Chinese J-10 fighters. The report downplays long-standing rumors that Iran would buy Russian fighters; the Islamic Republic did purchase Russian engines for some of its fighters, but reportedly not its new indigenous fighter. Beijing already has fielded the J-10, which US officials say looks like a Eurofighter, in squadron strength.
The U.S. began extensive air and artillery strikes against Islamic State group targets in Syria on Dec. 19 in retaliation for the killing of three Americans on Dec. 13 by a gunman affiliated with ISIS, U.S. officials said.
