Iranian woman arrested at LAX accused of brokering arms deals for Iran

Key Points:

• Shamim Mafi, a 44-year-old Iranian woman and U.S. lawful permanent resident, was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport for allegedly brokering arms sales, including drones, bombs, and ammunition, to Sudan in violation of U.S. sanctions laws.
• The criminal complaint states Mafi facilitated a $70.6 million contract for Iranian-made Mohajer-6 drones and arranged deals for bomb fuses and millions of rounds of ammunition to Sudan’s military, using an Oman-based company to evade sanctions.
• Mafi reportedly maintained close contact with Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and Security and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, communicating frequently with Iranian intelligence officers between 2022 and 2025.
• She faces charges under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, with a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison if convicted, and is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
• Investigators believe evidence related to the arms trafficking scheme was to be found on Mafi and at her Woodland Hills residence, and she was preparing to fly to Turkey when arrested.