{"id":60796,"date":"2026-04-20T19:39:16","date_gmt":"2026-04-21T02:39:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cjnotebook.com\/?p=60796"},"modified":"2026-04-20T19:40:05","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T02:40:05","slug":"iranian-national-arrested-at-lax-on-federal-charge-of-brokering-weapons-deals-for-iran","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cjnotebook.com\/?p=60796","title":{"rendered":"Iranian National Arrested at LAX on Federal Charge of Brokering Weapons Deals for Iran"},"content":{"rendered":"
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LOS ANGELES<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"A San Fernando Valley woman<\/strong> 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

Shamim Mafi, 44, of Woodland Hills,<\/strong> is charged with conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA)<\/strong>. Authorities arrested her Saturday night at Los Angeles International Airport<\/strong> as she attempted to leave the United States.<\/span><\/p>\n

She is scheduled to make her initial court appearance Monday in U.S. District Court in downtown Los Angeles<\/strong>. No plea will be entered at that hearing.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to a federal affidavit, Mafi \u2014 an Iranian national who became a lawful U.S. permanent resident in 2016<\/strong> \u2014 used an Oman-based company to broker arms deals on behalf of Iran.<\/span><\/p>\n

Quick Facts<\/span><\/h3>\n
    \n
  • Defendant:<\/strong> Shamim Mafi, 44, Woodland Hills<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Charge:<\/strong> Conspiracy to violate IEEPA<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Arrest:<\/strong> Saturday at LAX<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Alleged deal:<\/strong> $70 million Iranian-made drone contract<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n
  • Payments:<\/strong> More than $7 million<\/strong> allegedly received<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Potential sentence:<\/strong> Up to 20 years in federal prison<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    \"\"Prosecutors allege that in early 2025<\/strong>, Mafi arranged a contract worth more than $70 million<\/strong> for Iran\u2019s defense ministry to sell Mohajer-6 drones<\/strong> to Sudan\u2019s military. She allegedly coordinated travel for a Sudanese delegation to Iran and received more than $7 million<\/strong> for her role.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Authorities say she also brokered the sale of 55,000 bomb fuses<\/strong> and millions of rounds of ammunition<\/strong> from Iran to Sudan. Investigators allege she submitted documentation to Iran\u2019s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)<\/strong> to facilitate the transactions.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Officials said Mafi never obtained required licenses<\/strong> from the U.S. Treasury Department\u2019s Office of Foreign Assets Control or approval from the State Department to broker defense-related deals.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Court documents further allege investigators identified approximately 62 contacts<\/strong> between Mafi and an Iranian intelligence officer between December 2022 and June 2025<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

    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.<\/span><\/p>\n

    The FBI is investigating<\/strong> the case.<\/span><\/p>\n

    A criminal complaint contains allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n
    <\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    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…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":29746,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-60796","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\nIranian National Arrested at LAX on Federal Charge of Brokering Weapons Deals for Iran Iranian national arrested at LAX in alleged $70M weapons deals for Iran<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Iranian national in Woodland Hills arrested at LAX, accused of brokering $70M drone deal and weapons sales to Sudan in violation of U.S. sanctions.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, 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