The Arrest in Los Angeles
Shamim Mafi, 44, faced arrest at Los Angeles International Airport on Saturday. Federal agents stopped her as she prepared to board a flight to Turkey. Mafi, an Iranian national and lawful permanent resident of the United States since 2016, now confronts charges from US Attorney Bill Essayli.
Specific Charges Filed
Prosecutors accuse Mafi of brokering sales of arms to Sudan's defence ministry. The items include drones, bombs, bomb fuses, and millions of rounds of ammunition manufactured in Iran. Court documents detail a €60m drone contract and a separate deal for 55,000 bomb fuses arranged through Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Payments and Company Involvement
Mafi coordinated a Sudanese delegation's travel to Iran and received over €6m in payments for the drone deal. She operated through Atlas International Business, a company in Oman, which received more than $7m in payments during 2025. These transactions involved informal exchange entities to evade US sanctions against Iran.
Sudan's Role in the Deals
The arms went to Sudan's defence ministry amid its ongoing conflict. Iranian weapons are believed to have played a critical role in Sudan's 2024 offensive against the Rapid Support Forces. Sudan's civil war has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and millions displaced, according to UN reports.
Legal and Personal Ramifications
Mafi could receive a jail sentence of up to 20 years if convicted. She is scheduled to appear in US District Court in Los Angeles on Monday.
Broader Security Ties
Iran's defence industry plays a key role in its foreign policy, according to experts like Justin Lynch of Conflict Insights Group. Sudan restored ties with Iran in 2023 to secure weapons amid economic pressures. Iran and Sudan have denied past accusations of arms transfers. Amnesty International has documented weapons from Serbia, Russia, China, Turkey, and Yemen in Sudan, though not specifically Iranian weapons.
Human Impact in Sudan
The war has created the world's largest humanitarian crisis, with food shortages and displacement. Weapons from sources like Iran fuel the fighting between the army and paramilitary forces. This influx prolongs suffering for civilians, making daily life more dangerous in affected regions.
