A 44-year-old Iranian woman has been arrested by the FBI in Los Angeles for allegedly trafficking bombs, drones, and other weapons in a multimillion-dollar scheme linked to the Iranian government.
The suspect, identified as Shamim Mafi, was apprehended at LAX just before boarding a flight to Turkey, with authorities accusing her of brokering arms deals worth over $70 million, including the sale of Iranian-made drones and thousands of bomb fuses to Sudan.
The FBI arrested Shamim Mafi on Saturday night at Los Angeles International Airport. Mafi lived in the Los Angeles suburb of Woodland Hills on a green card.
The criminal complaint accuses Mafi of working as an arms dealer for the Iranian government. She sold drones, bombs, bomb fuses, assault weapons, and millions of rounds of ammunition to Sudan. At least one deal was worth more than $70 million.
In a significant twist, she has reportedly told investigators she is willing to provide detailed information about Iran’s financial systems and alleged money laundering channels.
The FBI affidavit states that Mafi “conspired with others to perpetrate an unlawful scheme of weapons, weapons components, and ammunition on behalf of the Government of Iran.” She now faces a charge of conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Conviction could bring up to 20 years in federal prison.
Mafi frequently traveled to Iran, Turkey, and other countries as part of the operation. Fox News correspondent Max Gorden reported that she coordinated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. “Mafi was allegedly coordinating with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps,” Gorden said.
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“According to the federal government, one of the contracts was worth €60 million brokering the sale of Iranian-made drones between Iran’s defense ministry and Sudan.”
In a separate transaction, Mafi is accused of selling 55,000 bomb fuses to the Sudanese military. The deals involved Iranian-made weapons and components shipped through international networks.
Ties to Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps
Federal officials say Mafi operated as part of a larger network supplying weapons on behalf of Iran. The $70 million drone deal alone connected Iran’s defense ministry directly to the Sudanese military. Other shipments included large quantities of ammunition and assault weapons.
Mafi spoke to the FBI after her arrest. She said she could provide “extensive information about the Iranian financial system and money laundering channels used by the Government of Iran,” according to the criminal complaint.
The arrest took place on April 18 as Mafi prepared to leave the United States. She held legal permanent resident status but is now in federal custody. Mafi will appear in court on Monday for her initial hearing.
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Court appearance scheduled
The case forms part of broader U.S. efforts to block Iranian weapons shipments during the current conflict. The U.S.-Iran war began in late February. President Donald Trump stated on Sunday that he expects an agreement to end the war soon but remains prepared to strike Iranian power plants and bridges if Iran does not reach a deal.
Why this matters
The arrest shows how the United States targets individuals involved in Iranian arms deals while the two countries remain at war. Mafi’s alleged activities provided direct support to Sudan using Iranian weapons and components worth tens of millions of dollars.
Her statements about Iranian financial operations and money laundering could supply U.S. investigators with specific details on how the Iranian government funds and hides such transactions. The case adds to pressure on Iran at a time when diplomatic efforts continue alongside military threats.
