Iranian woman arrested in US over alleged arms trafficking to Sudan
A 44-year-old Iranian woman has been arrested in the United States over allegations that she trafficked weapons to Sudan on behalf of Iran, according to US prosecutors.
The suspect, identified as Shamim Mafi, a lawful permanent US resident since 2016, was detained at Los Angeles International Airport on Saturday as she prepared to board a flight to Turkey. She now faces charges related to breaching US sanctions against Iran and is expected to appear in court later on Monday.
According to prosecutors, Mafi is accused of brokering large-scale arms deals involving drones, bombs, bomb fuses, and millions of rounds of ammunition allegedly manufactured in Iran and sold to Sudan’s defence ministry. The alleged transactions include a €60 million ($70 million) drone contract, alongside other major weapons agreements detailed in court filings.
First Assistant US Attorney Bill Essayli described the case publicly on social media platform X, stating that the accused was involved in facilitating high-value military sales in violation of US sanctions laws. He also shared images allegedly linked to the investigation, including a drone on a tarmac and bundles of cash.
Court documents and an FBI criminal complaint, seen by the BBC, allege that Mafi played a central role in coordinating transactions between Iranian defence-linked entities and Sudanese officials. She is accused of organising travel for a Sudanese delegation to Iran, receiving over €6 million in payments, and issuing receipts tied to the alleged drone deal.
The documents further claim she submitted a letter of intent to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) regarding the sale of approximately 55,000 bomb fuses to Sudan’s defence ministry. Prosecutors allege that she used informal financial channels across multiple transactions in an effort to evade US sanctions.
Authorities say the suspect was preparing to leave the United States when she was arrested, and that the case reflects a broader pattern of illicit arms brokering used to bypass international restrictions.
If convicted, Mafi could face up to 20 years in prison.
The case comes as Sudan continues to endure a devastating civil war between the national army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a conflict that has created what the United Nations describes as the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. Tens of thousands have been killed and millions displaced since fighting began three years ago.
The war has also drawn in foreign influence, with multiple countries accused of supplying arms to different factions. Investigators and rights groups have documented weapons originating from various regions, including Eastern Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, contributing to the scale and intensity of the conflict.
Iran has previously been accused of supplying weapons to Sudan’s military, though both governments have denied allegations of direct arms transfers in past disputes. Sudan’s relations with Iran have shifted repeatedly over the decades, influenced by changing regional alliances and economic pressures.
During the 1990s, ties between the two countries strengthened, but relations cooled in the mid-2000s as Sudan aligned more closely with Gulf states. However, following the outbreak of civil war in 2023, Khartoum moved to restore relations with Tehran in search of military and economic support.
Security analysts say the allegations against Mafi highlight the complex and often opaque world of international arms brokerage, where intermediaries operate across borders and sanctions regimes.
Experts note that conflicts such as Sudan’s often rely on unofficial supply networks due to restrictions on formal arms sales. These networks, they argue, create opportunities for illicit trade and complicate efforts to regulate the flow of weapons into conflict zones.
The US government has maintained strict sanctions on Iran, particularly targeting its defence and nuclear sectors, making any alleged arms transactions with Iranian entities a serious federal offence under American law.
As the case proceeds, investigators are expected to examine financial records, communications, and alleged links between the accused and both Iranian and Sudanese officials. The outcome may have wider implications for how international sanctions enforcement is applied in cases involving covert arms trading networks.
