Who Is Shamim Mafi? US Arrests Iranian-American Over Alleged Drone, Bomb Fuse Deals For Iran

US authorities have arrested Iranian-American permanent resident Shamim Mafi at Los Angeles International Airport, accusing her of illegally brokering major arms transactions linked to Iran, including drones, bomb fuses and millions of rounds of ammunition. The arrest comes amid heightened scrutiny as tensions involving Iran remain in focus, with prosecutors alleging that the weapons were intended for Sudan's ongoing civil war.

Arrest at Los Angeles airport and charges filed

Shamim Mafi, 44, a US green card holder of Iranian origin, was taken into custody on Saturday night at Los Angeles International Airport, according to reports. She has been charged by the US Attorney's Office for the Central District of California for allegedly carrying out arms transactions without the required legal authorisation.

In a post on X, First Assistant US Attorney Bill Essayli said Shamim Mafi, 44, of Woodland Hills, was arrested "for trafficking arms on behalf of the government of Iran" and , is expected to make an appearance in US District Court on Monday afternoon in Los Angeles.

"She is charged with a violation of 50 U.S.C. SS 1705 for brokering the sale of drones, bombs, bomb fuses, and millions of rounds of ammunition manufactured by Iran and sold to Sudan," the First Assistant US Attorney Bill Essayli said.

Alleged use of Oman-based front company in $70 million drone deal

According to investigators, Mafi allegedly used an Oman-registered front company, Atlas International Business, to facilitate the deals. Prosecutors say the network remained active as recently as 2025.

One of the key transactions cited in court filings is a contract worth more than $70 million for Mohajer-6 armed drones, which are military-grade unmanned aircraft associated with Iran's defence apparatus. Prosecutors also allege that roughly 55,000 bomb fuses were moved through the same channel to Sudan's Ministry of Defence.

Authorities claim the weapons were destined for Sudan's civil war, which has been ongoing since 2023. The Mohajer-6 drone system has also been used in multiple conflict zones in recent years, including clashes involving Sudanese military forces and paramilitary groups.

Phone records and alleged links to Iranian intelligence

Court documents cited by prosecutors reportedly indicate that Mafi was in direct contact with Iran's Ministry of Intelligence and Security between December 2022 and June 2025. However, investigators say Mafi denied being directed by Tehran to conduct activities inside the United States.

Mafi left Iran in 2013 and later became a permanent US resident in 2016. Prosecutors further allege that Iranian authorities seized properties she inherited from her father in 2020. After that, Iran's intelligence agency allegedly encouraged her to establish a business in the US, with the stated aim of helping her buy back those properties through Tehran-backed funding.

According to prosecutors, Mafi told Iranian intelligence contacts that she believed she could be more useful to them while operating outside Iran rather than from within the country.

Arrest comes amid ongoing US-Iran diplomatic efforts

The case has emerged at a sensitive moment, with diplomatic contacts between Washington and Tehran still continuing even as wider regional tensions remain high. The arrest is likely to draw further attention because of the scale of the alleged transactions and the accusations that they were carried out on behalf of the Iranian government.

The case is also expected to be closely watched because prosecutors have linked the alleged deals not only to Iran's defence production network but also to Sudan's conflict, where armed groups have been accused of using foreign-supplied military equipment in the prolonged civil war.