Notes: The T-72Z (not related in any way to the T-72 tank of Russian origin) is based on T-54 and T-55 tanks captured undamaged or lightly-damaged from the Iraqis during the 1980-1988 war. It is believed that the Iranians managed to produce some 190 working T-72Z tanks from these captured vehicles. The Iranians later produced about 500 more from Type 59 tanks they bought from China, and a later version called the T-86Z based on a purchase of 240 Type 69 tanks from China. (Not all of these Chinese-built tanks were converted to T-72Zs and T-86Zs, however.)

The T-72Z and T-86Z received major improvements in the fire control system, night vision gear and radios, along with an anti-spall liner. On each side of the turret are four smoke grenade launchers. The engine and the transmission have been replaced. One of the most dramatic changes to the T-72Z and T-86Z is the replacement of the main gun by a 105mm M-68 gun. Armor has been added and lugs for ERA are found on the turret front and sides, and the glacis and hull sides. Side skirts are also added. The T-86Z has additional armor and fire control improvements.

Notes: The Zulfiqar (spelled in some sources as Zolfaqar) was at first thought to be a local modification of the T-72 when it was first noted in the West in 1996. Subsequent intelligence and Iranian publications have since revealed the Zulfiqar to be lengthened M-60 tank chassis. The turret is similar in shape to that of the M-1 Abrams series, though it lacks most of the advanced features of the M-1 Abrams, uses a 125mm gun with an autoloader, and the Zulfiqar does not have the armor protection of the Abrams. Note that though the West did not notice the Zulfiqar until 1996, it is believed that the first prototypes rolled out in 1993, though series production did not begin until 1996. So far, 3 versions of the Zulfiqar have been developed, the Zulfiqar 2 seems to be used only as a testbed for new concepts and will not be elaborated any further here. The total number of Zulfiqars of all types in possession by Iran is estimated to be approximately 150.

The Zulfiqar 1 (sometimes referred to as the Zulfiqar/T-72), the variant seen by Western intelligence in 1996, uses a lengthened M-48 hull, with an additional roadwheel. The extra length is believed to house a more powerful 1000-horsepower Ukrainian-built engine and larger fuel tanks; with the lighter weight of the Zulfiqar, this makes for a quick and agile tank. The transmission is fully automatic. The turret is believed to be a very heavily-modified T-72 turret, so greatly modified that it no longer resembles a T-72 turret at all, as stated above, it looks more like that of an Abrams. Large bustle racks extend across the back and the back half of each side of the turret; large boxes in front of the side bustle racks contain maintenance equipment for the tank. Zulfiqar 1s have been seen with no smoke grenade launchers, or clusters of up to seven on each side of the turret. (The stats below assume a cluster of five on each side.) The Zulfiqar 1 has side skirts on wither side of the suspension; the glacis and turret front are believed to be of composite armor. Lugs for ERA are found on the glacis, turret front, hull sides, and the front part of the turret sides, as well as the front part of the turret deck. The Zulfiqar 1 is sometimes seen with a large white light/IR searchlight above the main gun in front of the mantlet (the stats below include it). The fire control suite is believed to be the Slovenian-built EFCS-3, as found on the Safir-74 version of the T-55 found above. The Zulfiqar 1 is believed to have an NBC overpressure system.

The Zulfiqar 3 is simply the Zulfiqar 1 with upgrades, such as more armor, a better fire control suite, and a more powerful 1500-horsepower engine. The Zulfiqar 3 is also believed to have a beefed up and raised suspension.

The Iranians got some 75 Zulfiqar 1s built before production abruptly ceased. The Zulfiqar 3 was never built.