An Iranian businesswoman residing in the United States under a green card has been apprehended at Los Angeles International Airport on allegations of orchestrating arms transactions for Tehran. Shamim Mafi, aged 44, was taken into custody on Saturday evening, accused of facilitating deals involving drones, explosives, and millions of rounds of ammunition destined for Sudan, according to the U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California.
Charges and Legal Proceedings
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli stated that Mafi is charged with violating 50 U.S.C. § 1705 for brokering the sale of Iranian-manufactured drones, bombs, bomb fuses, and ammunition to Sudan. She became a permanent U.S. resident in 2016 after leaving Iran in 2013, and allegedly utilized an Oman-registered company to mediate these arms agreements, as reported by the New York Post.
Details of the Alleged Deals
One contract reportedly involved $70 million for Iranian-made Mojajer-6 armed drones. Phone records indicate direct contact between Mafi and Iran's Ministry of Intelligence and Security from December 2022 to June 2025. Additionally, she is accused of employing her firm, Atlas International Business, to route transactions through Turkey and the United Arab Emirates to evade U.S. detection.
Mafi has denied any involvement with Iran's MOIS or acting on Tehran's behalf. The drones and approximately 55,000 bomb fuses she allegedly prepared were intended for the Sudanese Ministry of Defense, which has been embroiled in a civil war since 2023.
Context of Sudan's Civil War
In 2024, anonymous Iranian military officials told Reuters that Iranian drones were pivotal in shifting the civil war in favor of Sudan's military. U.N. fact-finders have described recent mass killings in Darfur as having "hallmarks of genocide," while the U.S. government has accused the opposing Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of genocide.
In 2025, then-Secretary of State Antony Blinken, during the final days of the Biden administration, condemned the RSF for acts of genocide, citing attacks on civilians and obstruction of humanitarian aid.
Potential Consequences
Mafi is charged with conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Her initial court appearance is set for Monday afternoon in Los Angeles. If convicted, she could face up to 20 years in federal prison, highlighting the severe penalties for such alleged violations.
