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Iranian woman arrested in US over brokering sale of drones, bombs, and ammunition to Sudan
Shamim Mafi, a 44-year-old Iranian national and U.S. permanent resident, was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport on charges of brokering a weapons deal between Iran and Sudan. Prosecutors say she and a co-conspirator operated Atlas International Business from Oman, moving drones, bombs, bomb fuses, and ammunition, with over $7 million paid in 2025. She faces up to 20 years in federal prison if convicted, and a court appearance in Los Angeles is scheduled for April 20, 2026.
Why It Matters
The case highlights international arms trafficking involving Iran and Sudan amid regional conflict, and underscores U.S. law-enforcement actions against illicit weapons networks and potential IRGC ties.
Timeline
9 Events
Arraignment/appearance scheduled in LA federal court
April 20, 2026
Mafi is scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles on Monday, April 20, 2026.
Mohajer-6 drone contract cited in sales
April 19, 2026
New York Post reporting cited a contract for over $70 million for Iranian-made Mohajer-6 armed drones as part of the sales.
Court documents: 55,000 bomb fuses sold to Sudan’s Ministry of Defense
April 19, 2026
Court documents allege the duo brokered the sale of 55,000 bomb fuses to the Sudanese Ministry of Defense.
U.S. Attorney posts charges details on X
April 19, 2026
First U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli announced the charges in an X post, sharing a photo of Mafi.
Arrest at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
April 19, 2026
Shamim Mafi was arrested at LAX on charges related to brokering a weapons deal between Iran and Sudan, including drones, bombs, bomb fuses, and ammunition.
June 2025: IRGC contact referenced through June 2025
June 2025
Phone records allegedly show continuing contact with Iranian intelligence through June 2025.
2025: Atlas International Business receives over $7 million in payments
2025
The company linked to Mafi reportedly received over $7 million in payments in 2025 for weapons and ammunition trafficking.
December 2022: IRGC contact referenced in phone records
December 2022
Court documents and reporting indicate phone records show contact with Iranian intelligence between December 2022 and June 2025.
2016: Shamim Mafi becomes a lawful permanent resident of the United States
2016
Shamim Mafi, an Iranian national, obtained lawful permanent resident status in the United States in 2016.