Who is Shamim Mafi? Iranian businesswoman arrested at LA airport for arms smuggling to Tehran
A 44-year-old Iranian businesswoman who led a life of luxury travel and alleged secret deals is now at the center of a serious US federal case.Authorities say Shamim Mafi was arrested Saturday night at Los Angeles International Airport on charges of smuggling arms on behalf of the Iranian government.According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, Mafi is a resident of Woodland Hills and is accused of brokering deals involving Iran-made drones, bombs, bomb fuses and millions of rounds of ammunition that were allegedly destined for Sudan. The case has been registered under a violation that relates to sanctions and prohibited foreign transactions.
In a statement posted on Twitter, US Attorney Bill Essaly said: “Last night, Shamim Mafi, 44, of Woodland Hills, was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport on charges of arms trafficking on behalf of the government of Iran. They have been charged in violation of 50 USC § 1705 for brokering the sale of drones, bombs, bomb fuses, and millions of rounds of ammunition manufactured by Iran and sold to Sudan.If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.Investigators allege that Mafi used an Oman-registered company, Atlas International Business, to facilitate the deals, some of which reportedly continued as recently as 2025. The transaction cited in court documents involves a more than $70 million contract for the Mohajer-6 armed drone, manufactured by Iran’s Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics.The drones, along with thousands of bomb fuses, were reportedly supplied to the Defense Ministry of Sudan, which has been engaged in a violent civil conflict since 2023.Officials also claim that phone records show that Mafi was in direct contact with Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and Security between December 2022 and June 2025. Prosecutors say he did not have the necessary legal authorization to make such transactions.Mafi is an Iranian citizen who left her homeland in 2013 and became a lawful permanent resident of the United States in 2016. Despite the allegations, his public image appeared different. She often shared photos of her luxurious lifestyle on social media, including international travel photos and posing with an expensive Mercedes-Benz roadster.He is expected to appear in a Los Angeles court on Monday afternoon for a preliminary hearing.