In brief
Federal authorities arrested Shamim Mafi at Los Angeles International Airport, accusing her of brokering arms sales between Iran and Sudan's military. The 44-year-old Iranian national is charged with trafficking drone technology, bombs, and millions of rounds of ammunition, contributing to a worsening humanitarian crisis in Sudan, where food supplies are dwindling. If convicted, she faces up to 20 years in prison.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Federal prosecutors said a 44-year-old Los Angeles woman was arrested Saturday night at Los Angeles International Airport on suspicion of helping Iran traffic weapons to Sudan, which is embroiled in a prolonged civil war.
Shamim Mafi will face charges that she brokered the sale of drones, bombs, bomb fuses, and millions of rounds of ammunition between Iran and the Sudanese Armed Forces, according to First U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli on social media.
A phone number for Mafi could not be located, and it remained unclear if she has legal representation. Essayli shared images of the arrest showing an FBI agent escorting Mafi to a vehicle outside the airport.
According to Essayli, Mafi, an Iranian national, became a lawful permanent resident of the United States in 2016.
A criminal complaint filed on March 12 alleges that Mafi and an unidentified accomplice operated a company named Atlas International Business in Oman, through which weapons and ammunition were allegedly trafficked. The business reportedly received over $7 million in payments in 2025.
Additionally, the complaint states that Mafi facilitated the sale of 55,000 bomb fuses to the Sudanese Ministry of Defense.
“In connection with the transaction, Mafi submitted a letter of intent to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (“IRGC”) to purchase the bomb fuses for Sudan,” the complaint noted.
Mafi is scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles on Monday. If convicted, she could face up to 20 years in prison.
The ongoing civil unrest in Sudan has led to a humanitarian crisis, with supplies running low and millions of people forced to flee their homes.