California Woman Charged for Illicit Sale of Iranian Weapons to Sudan

Shamim Mafi was arrested in Los Angeles for allegedly brokering Iranian weapons sales to Sudan.

Federal authorities arrested Shamim Mafi at Los Angeles International Airport, accusing her of acting as a broker in the illicit sale of Iranian-made weaponry to Sudan. According to the complaint, Mafi and a co-conspirator orchestrated the sale of drones, bombs, and 55,000 bomb fuses, with millions of rounds of ammunition destined for the Sudanese Armed Forces.

• Mafi allegedly ran an Oman-based company, Atlas International Business, which prosecutors say received over $7 million in 2025 to facilitate these transactions.
• Prosecutors claim she submitted a letter of intent to purchase bomb fuses to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on behalf of Sudan's Ministry of Defense.
• First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli commented, “Last night, Shamim Mafi, 44, of Woodland Hills, was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport for trafficking arms on behalf of the government of Iran.”

Mafi’s arrest highlights ever-increasing scrutiny of individuals and companies involved in circumventing U.S. sanctions against Iran and underlines the implications for those handling international arms sales. Legal practitioners advising on international trade, export controls, or national security should note the aggressive enforcement stance and potential exposure for unwitting or complicit actors.

If convicted, Mafi faces up to 20 years in federal prison. Attorneys should ensure robust compliance programs, particularly when clients interface with high-risk geographies and goods.