LOS ANGELES
A San Fernando Valley woman was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport on a federal complaint alleging she brokered weapons deals for the Iranian government, including drones, bomb components, and ammunition bound for Sudan.
Shamim Mafi, 44, of Woodland Hills, is charged with conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). Authorities arrested her Saturday night at Los Angeles International Airport as she attempted to leave the United States.
She is scheduled to make her initial court appearance Monday in U.S. District Court in downtown Los Angeles. No plea will be entered at that hearing.
According to a federal affidavit, Mafi — an Iranian national who became a lawful U.S. permanent resident in 2016 — used an Oman-based company to broker arms deals on behalf of Iran.
Quick Facts
- Defendant: Shamim Mafi, 44, Woodland Hills
- Charge: Conspiracy to violate IEEPA
- Arrest: Saturday at LAX
- Alleged deal: $70 million Iranian-made drone contract
- Payments: More than $7 million allegedly received
- Potential sentence: Up to 20 years in federal prison
Prosecutors allege that in early 2025, Mafi arranged a contract worth more than $70 million for Iran’s defense ministry to sell Mohajer-6 drones to Sudan’s military. She allegedly coordinated travel for a Sudanese delegation to Iran and received more than $7 million for her role.
Authorities say she also brokered the sale of 55,000 bomb fuses and millions of rounds of ammunition from Iran to Sudan. Investigators allege she submitted documentation to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to facilitate the transactions.
Officials said Mafi never obtained required licenses from the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control or approval from the State Department to broker defense-related deals.
Court documents further allege investigators identified approximately 62 contacts between Mafi and an Iranian intelligence officer between December 2022 and June 2025.
The IEEPA restricts U.S. persons from conducting business with the Iranian government and sanctioned entities without authorization due to national security concerns, including terrorism and nuclear proliferation.
The FBI is investigating the case.
A criminal complaint contains allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.