Shamim Mafi, a 44‑year‑old Iranian national and U.S. permanent resident, was arrested at LAX and charged with brokering Iranian‑made drones, bombs, bomb fuses and millions of rounds of ammunition to Sudan. Court documents allege she and a co‑conspirator used an Oman‑based firm, Atlas International Business (which received over $7 million in 2025), and arranged a sale of 55,000 bomb fuses involving Iran’s IRGC. Mafi faces up to 20 years in federal prison and is due in federal court in Los Angeles. The arrest arrives as the UN warns Sudan risks famine and collapse amid ongoing international concerns about arms flows into the conflict.
Iranian‑Origin U.S. Resident Arrested at LAX for Alleged Arms Trafficking to Sudan
This undated driver's licence photo provided by US Attorney Bill Essayli shows Shamim Mafi [Handout/US Attorney Bill Essayli via AP]
Shamim Mafi, a 44‑year‑old Iranian national and U.S. lawful permanent resident, was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport on Saturday and charged by the U.S. Department of Justice with brokering Iranian‑made weapons to Sudan, federal prosecutors said.
The criminal complaint alleges Mafi helped arrange sales of drones, bombs, bomb fuses and millions of rounds of ammunition manufactured in Iran and delivered to Sudan. Prosecutors say she and an unnamed co‑conspirator operated an Oman‑based company called Atlas International Business, which received more than $7 million in payments in 2025 for transactions tied to the scheme.
According to court filings dated March 12, Mafi and the co‑conspirator also brokered the sale of 55,000 bomb fuses to the Sudanese Ministry of Defence. The complaint further alleges that Mafi submitted a letter of intent to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to facilitate the purchase of those fuses for delivery to Sudan.
US Attorney Bill Essayli posted images on social media showing a woman believed to be Mafi surrounded by federal agents, a large drone on a tarmac, an identification card and bundled cash.
Mafi is scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles. If convicted on the charges, she faces a statutory maximum sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison. As with any criminal case, the allegations in the complaint remain unproven until established in court.
Broader Context
The arrest comes amid mounting international concern over the flow of weapons into Sudan’s multi‑year conflict between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The United Nations has warned the country is at risk of sliding into "full‑scale famine and collapse," and UN officials say external arms deliveries have contributed to the humanitarian catastrophe.
International backing in the conflict has been reported to be divided: Egypt and Saudi Arabia have been linked with support for the army, while Turkish‑ and Iranian‑made drones have been used on the battlefield. The United Arab Emirates has faced scrutiny over alleged arms transfers to the RSF; the UAE denies those allegations. The UN has repeatedly urged foreign powers to stop fueling the fighting but has not publicly named specific states as responsible.
Legal and Humanitarian Note: The Department of Justice statement and the court complaint lay out the allegations; they will be tested in court. The case underscores concerns about transnational arms trafficking and its humanitarian consequences for civilians in conflict zones such as Sudan.
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