In brief
Shamim Mafi, an Iranian national, was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport on charges of facilitating the transfer of military supplies, including drones and ammunition, from Iran to the Sudanese Armed Forces. This case illustrates the ongoing conflict in Sudan and the wider implications of international arms trading. Mafi could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
Los Angeles (AP) — Shamim Mafi, a 44-year-old woman, was arrested Saturday night at Los Angeles International Airport for allegedly aiding Iran in trafficking weapons to Sudan, which has been embroiled in a brutal civil war for four years. Federal prosecutors claim that Mafi brokered the sale of various military supplies, including drones, bombs, bomb fuses, and millions of rounds of ammunition, facilitating a critical flow of arms to the Sudanese Armed Forces, according to U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli.The criminal complaint states that Mafi and an unnamed accomplice ran a company named Atlas International Business in Oman, which the duo allegedly used to conduct these arms transactions. Reports indicate that the firm received over $7 million in payments as recent as 2025. Furthermore, the complaint details an arrangement in which Mafi submitted intent to purchase 55,000 bomb fuses for the Sudanese Ministry of Defense, a serious allegation given the humanitarian crisis impacting millions in Sudan.Mafi, who became a lawful permanent resident of the U.S. in 2016, is currently awaiting her first court appearance. If found guilty, she faces a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison. The situation underscores the dire conditions in Sudan, a country grappling with a humanitarian crisis due to dwindling food supplies and massive displacement of its population amidst ongoing conflict.