Federal authorities in the United States have detained 44-year-old Iranian national Shamim Mafi at Los Angeles International Airport for allegedly orchestrating the trafficking of arms to Sudan on behalf of Iran. Mafi is accused of brokering deals involving drones, bombs, bomb fuses, and millions of rounds of ammunition supplied to Sudan's defense ministry, including a significant €60 million drone contract. The arrest highlights ongoing concerns about Iran’s covert arms dealings and violations of U.S. sanctions, with prosecutors revealing her involvement in coordinating transactions and facilitating the payment processes.
The criminal complaint states that Mafi, a lawful permanent resident since 2016, used covert channels and informal exchange entities to evade sanctions, including coordinating Sudanese delegation travel to Iran and handling payments exceeding €6 million. Court documents also detail her efforts to broker the sale of 55,000 bomb fuses through a letter of intent submitted to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Mafi's arrest came as she was preparing to fly to Turkey, and she faces potential prison time of up to 20 years if convicted. The case underscores the broader international conflict in Sudan, where weapon supplies from countries including Serbia, Russia, China, Turkey, and others have fueled a devastating civil war with a massive humanitarian toll.