California Woman Is Arrested at LAX and Accused of Selling Weapons for Iran
The New York Times • • nation
Key Points:
- Shamim Mafi, a 44-year-old Los Angeles resident, was arrested at LAX for allegedly facilitating millions of dollars in covert weapons sales for the Iranian government, acting as a proxy for Iranian intelligence.
- Prosecutors accuse Mafi of setting up front companies in Los Angeles and Oman to broker sales of drones, bombs, assault weapons, and ammunition, including a $60 million drone deal to Sudan’s defense ministry.
- Mafi maintained close ties with Iranian intelligence officials, coordinated with high-level government contacts, and regularly disclosed her connections during U.S. Customs interviews, claiming her work involved medical aid shipments.
- She faces weapons-related charges, including exporting arms without a license, carrying a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison, with a court appearance scheduled in Los Angeles.
- The case highlights Iran’s use of covert arms sales to fund its treasury and influence conflicts, including supplying weapons to sanctioned entities like Sudan’s military.
