A 44-year-old Iranian-born businesswoman was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport in a high-stakes case that US authorities say exposes a covert network of weapons’ deals tied to Tehran. The accused, a US green card holder, is alleged to have brokered the sale of drones, bombs and ammunition to Sudan while operating out of California.
The arrest of Shamim Mafi, a Woodland Hills resident known for sharing luxury travel photos online, comes as Washington intensifies scrutiny of alleged Iranian arms transfers amid ongoing conflict. According to The New York Post, prosecutors claim her activities were not isolated but linked to broader efforts by Iranian state entities to bypass international restrictions.
Prosecutors also accused Shamim Mafi of facilitating deals involving Iranian-made weapons, including drones, bomb fuses and millions of rounds of ammunition destined for Sudan. Authorities say she used an Oman-registered company to move these deals forward while avoiding detection.
“She is charged with a violation of 50 USC 1705 for brokering the sale of drones, bombs, bomb fuses, and millions of rounds of ammunition manufactured by Iran and sold to Sudan,” First Assistant US Attorney Bill Essayli said as quoted by The Post. One of the deals under investigation centres on a contract worth more than $70 million for Mohajer-6 armed drones, along with tens of thousands of bomb fuses.
ALLEGED LINKS TO IRAN INTELLIGENCE NETWORK
Investigators allege that Shamim Mafi remained in direct contact with Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and Security between 2022 and 2025, receiving instructions and financial backing to set up operations in the United States. Court records suggest that Tehran had seized properties she inherited and later directed her to establish a business in the US to regain those assets. Authorities claim she was used as an intermediary to facilitate arms deals under the guise of legitimate business activity.
Despite the allegations, Shamim Mafi told investigators she had not been tasked by Iranian authorities to carry out such activities within the United States.
Shamim Mafi was arrested on Saturday night just as she was about to board a flight to Istanbul. She now faces charges related to violating US sanctions laws, which carry a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison if convicted. Her initial court appearance is scheduled at a federal court in Los Angeles.
The case unfolds against the backdrop of an ongoing civil war in Sudan, where Iranian-made drones are reported to have been used by government forces.
