In brief
Shamim Mafi, 44, was taken into custody at Los Angeles International Airport for allegedly brokering the sale of weapons, including drones and ammunition, to Sudan's military forces on behalf of Iran. Prosecutors indicate that Mafi’s actions may contribute to the ongoing humanitarian crisis resulting from Sudan's civil war. She faces charges that could lead to a 20-year prison sentence if convicted.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Federal prosecutors reported that a 44-year-old woman from Los Angeles, Shamim Mafi, was arrested Saturday night at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on suspects of assisting Iran in trafficking arms to Sudan, now suffering through a four-year-long civil war.
Prosecutors, including First U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli, affirmed that Mafi allegedly facilitated the sale of military equipment, including “drones, bombs, bomb fuses, and millions of rounds of ammunition” to the Sudanese Armed Forces.
Details of the case reveal that a criminal complaint filed on March 12 claims Mafi operated a company in Oman called Atlas International Business with an unnamed co-conspirator, which is said to have collected over $7 million in payments in 2025.
In addition, Mafi and her partner reportedly brokered the sale of 55,000 bomb fuses to the Sudanese Ministry of Defense. Court docs state that Mafi submitted a letter of intent to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) regarding the purchase to further sustain the ongoing conflict.
A contact for Mafi could not be located, and it remains unclear if she has retained legal representation. Bill Essayli shared a photo depicting Mafi being escorted by FBI agents at LAX.
Mafi, who became a lawful permanent resident of the U.S. in 2016, is scheduled for a hearing in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles on Monday. If found guilty, she faces a potential 20-year sentence.
The ongoing conflict in Sudan has resulted in a significant humanitarian crisis, highlighted by food shortages and mass displacement among the population.